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Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children
09:45

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children

Published on: April 29, 2013

Power spectral analysis of the electrocardiogram in diabetic children

M D Rollins1, J G Jenkins, D J Carson

  • 1Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Child Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Diabetologia
|May 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Heart rate variability (HRV) assessment in children with type 1 diabetes reveals a significant decline with longer diabetes duration and poorer glycemic control (HbA1). Serial HRV measurements may predict neuropathy onset.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Function
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Heart rate variability (HRV) is an established objective measure of autonomic function in adults with diabetes.
  • Autonomic dysfunction is a common complication in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between heart rate variability and diabetes duration and glycemic control in children with T1DM.
  • To explore the potential of HRV as a predictive marker for diabetic neuropathy in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 100 children with T1DM underwent on-line monitoring and power spectral analysis of heart rate variability using a microcomputer-based system.
  • Statistical analysis included correlation and comparison with age-matched control groups.

Main Results:

  • A significant negative correlation was found between HRV and diabetes duration (r = -0.88, p < 0.0001).
  • Children with T1DM for ≥3 years exhibited significantly lower HRV compared to controls.
  • A strong negative correlation existed between HRV and mean HbA1 in patients with diabetes ≥5 years, with HbA1 >10% associated with the greatest HRV reduction.

Conclusions:

  • Heart rate variability is significantly reduced in children with longer duration of Type 1 diabetes and poorer glycemic control.
  • Serial HRV measurements in diabetic children may offer predictive value for the development of symptomatic neuropathy prior to clinical manifestation.

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