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Introduction:Final examinations are important stressors in schools and universities that result in different psychoneuroimmunological outcomes but the study of these effects on children has not been paid enough attention to. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of final examinations on salivary immunoglubulin A in children. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial a total of 100 children (50 boys, 50 girls) in 5th grade, aged less than 12 years from two primary schools of 5th educational district in Tehran were choosen randomly. The subjects completed Test Anxiety Scales of Sarason & Abolghasemi. After making sure of their physical and mental health by reviewing their medical history, clinical examinations and after controlling sleep, food, drug and sport variables, based on time series design, salivary IgA samples were taken five times as followed: one week before and then three times through mathematics, history and science exams and at last one week after passing the exams at, 9 to 10 am. IgA samples were analyzed by nephlometry method. Data was analyzed using ANOVA. Results: Findings indicated that IgA level was decreased significantly during examinations comparing to IgA levels before and after examinations (p=0.01). The relations of sex and anxiety scores were not statistically significant. It means that decreased IgA levels are the same in all children. Conclusion: Final examinations as a stress resource, diminishes IgA and this change is not related to sex and test anxiety score.

Keywords: : Examination stress, salivary IgA, psychoneuroimmunology, Test anxiety, children, primary schools

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