Features of the Sympathoadrenal System of Primary School Age Children

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Investigations of sympathetic-adrenal system activity of primary school children during the learning activities are rare. The study is aimed at identifying the characteristics of SAS functional state in primary schoolers. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The study involved boys and girls of 6-8 years old enrolled in secondary school. Functional state of the sympathetic-adrenal system was evaluated by the level of adrenaline and noradrenaline excretion by fluorometric method in batch urine. The obtained data were processed by standard methods of variation statistics. To assess the statistical significance of differences the Student's t-test values were calculated. Findings: Analysis of the results showed that in 6-8-year-old children adaptive situation is exacerbated by the end of the school year, with the exception of the 2nd grade boys, which is associated with the ontogenetic features of body’s growth and development, as adrenal segment is formed in boys earlier than in girls. Our research has shown that the educational program for six-year children is the most optimal for girls, while boys’ fatigue syndrome is more pronounced, especially towards the end of the school year. It is also noted that with age, urinary catecholamine excretion increases, but this forward movement is of uneven and not infinite nature. To disclose regularities of formation of the growing organism’s adaptive systems is an integral part of the scientific basis underlying the protection of the health of the younger generation. Applications/Improvements: The study of excretion of urinary catecholamines and their precursors in the early school years will expand the notions of neuro-humoral mechanism enabling to assess the level of adaptation possibilities of schoolchildren.