Table 1 Summary characteristics of studies included in the systematic review (n = 27)
Characteristics | Number of studies (%) |
|---|---|
Year of publication | |
 2000–2009 | 7 (25.9) |
 2010–2019 | 20 (74.1) |
Country | |
 United States | 20 (74.1) |
 Netherlands | 3 (11.1) |
 Argentina | 1 (3.7) |
 Canada | 1 (3.7) |
 Iran | 1 (3.7) |
 Switzerland | 1 (3.7) |
Sample size | |
  < 100 | 14 (51.9) |
 100 < n < 150 | 9 (33.3) |
  ≥ 150 | 4 (14.8) |
Children’s mean age at baseline | |
  < 1 year | 4 (14.8) |
  ≥ 1 year and < 5 years | 18 (66.7) |
  ≥ 5 years | 5 (18.5) |
Type of population | |
 High-risk familiesa | 6 (22.2) |
 Foster care/Adopted children | 8 (29.7) |
 Hospitalized-based | 3 (11.1) |
 Maltreated children | 3 (11.1) |
 Caregiver’s death, sick or divorced | 4 (14.8) |
 General population | 3 (11.1) |
Cortisol outcome | |
 Saliva (diurnal) | 16 (59.3) |
 Saliva (reactivity) | 10 (37.0) |
 Hair | 1 (3.7) |
Technique used for biological analysis | |
 Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) | 13 (48.2) |
 Radioimunoassay | 3 (11.1) |
 Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) | 3 (11.1) |
 Other techniques | 4 (14.8) |
 Not described | 4 (14.8) |
Cortisol intraassay < 10% | |
 Yes | 19 (70.4) |
 No | 0 (0.0) |
 Not described | 8 (29.6) |
Cortisol interassay < 10% | |
 Yes | 15 (55.6) |
 No | 3 (11.1) |
 Not described | 9 (33.3) |