Cortisol production in children with early experience of stay in orphanages

The article gives an overview of researches devoted to the study of the impact of early institutionalization of children on their neuroendocrine functioning (on an example of researches of secretion of cortisol). The researches were conducted while children resided in an institution (Baby Home) or placed into adoptive families. The problems of the negative impact of early social and emotional deprivation on the physiological rhythm of cortisol secretion in children are considered.