Peculiarities of Heart Rate Variability in Newborns

Abstract

Heart rate variability values are potentially important for assessing vegetative dysfunction in children.The purpose of the research: a comparative study of spectral heart rate variability parameters and synchronization of low-frequency oscillations, characterizing baroreflex in the vegetative regulation of the cardiovascular system in healthy newborns and adults.15 healthy newborns and 60 healthy individuals in the age of 18-34 years old were included in the study. We performed synchronous recording of electrocardiograms and photoplethysmograms with 10 minutes duration, at rest. Were evaluated spectral heart rate variability indices and the index of synchronization of low-frequency oscillations in heart rate variability and photoplethysmograms (S index).Results. In newborns, the peak of low-frequency oscillations was predominantly in the range 0.07–0.09 Hz, and high frequency 0.40–0.50 Hz. Newborns had lower LF% values than adults: 22.8 (14.1, 29.4) vs 32.9 (25.1, 41.9) (p=0.009). The S index in newborns was 20.1 (16.9, 26.5)%, and 33.2 (21.2, 45.4)% in healthy adults (p=0.023).Conclusion. We have first demonstrated that the interaction of baroreflex regulation of heart rhythm and peripheral blood filling in healthy newborns is characterized by lower values of S index, than in healthy adults, which can be explained by the immaturity of the vegetative regulatory elements of the cardiovascular system.