STRESNI ODGOVOR U DEČJEM UZRASTU.

Introduction: Stress is a process that takes place when the body is exposed to any kind of aggression, which in such a way threatens it, that defense using specific adaptation mechanisms is not possible. The adaptive abilities of each individual are limited and different, depending on a number of factors, such as age, sex, health status and numerous psychological and social characteristics. The precondition for an adequate response to stress is the existence of intactness and functional maturity and the competence of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Objective: The aim of this paper is to investigate the characteristics of the stress response from the earliest age of life. Material and methods: An overview of current knowledge of the adrenal axis and stress response in newborns. Results: Nowdays it is known that the response of the adrenal axis to stress in newborns at birth is qualitatively present, and in the case of a term newborn, it is quantitatively competent, as it is in the later periods of childhood, when the response to stress does not show a significant age related difference. In premature infants this response is weaker. Knowing the specificity of prematurity, it is clear that premature newborns, especially those very low birth weigh, are actually constantly in a certain state of stress initiated in utero. According to the results of numerous studies, it seems that in stress situations some very premature newborns are unable to adapt their secretion of cortisol, which leads them to a state of relative adrenal insufficiency, which is of a transient character - from the second week of life, the secretion of cortisol begins to adapt. However much of vital importance is an adequate response to stress in the state of intense and long-lasting stress, when this response ceases to be purposeful and may have a negative impact on the health of the newborn. Conclusion: Inadequate stress response is a factor that contributes to the development of a pathological condition in a premature newborn. In addition to immediate, significant late consequences of stress are increasingly reported, which imposes the need to prevent stress in these children, as a way to improve the outcome of this most vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]