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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

Autonomic dysfunction in children with sleep disordered breathing

Lisa M Walter1, Gillian M Nixon, Margot J Davey

  • 1The Ritchie Centre, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. lisa.walter@monash.edu

Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung
|June 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children alters heart rate variability (HRV), indicating reduced autonomic activity. This may be linked to elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular risks in childhood.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Autonomic Neuroscience

Background:

  • Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) negatively impacts adult cardiovascular health via autonomic dysfunction.
  • Limited research exists on SDB's effects on autonomic activity in children.
  • Heart rate variability (HRV) is a key indicator of autonomic control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of SDB severity and sleep stages on heart rate variability (HRV) in children aged 7-12 years.
  • To assess autonomic control of heart rate in relation to SDB in pediatric populations.
  • To correlate HRV changes with SDB and sleep architecture.

Main Methods:

  • Eighty children (7-12 years) underwent overnight polysomnography.
  • Participants were categorized into control, primary snorer (PS), mild SDB, and moderate/severe SDB (MS SDB) groups based on the obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI).
  • Spectral heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed during Wake, NREM (stages 1&2), slow wave sleep (SWS), and REM sleep.

Main Results:

  • Reduced total power, low frequency (LF), and high frequency (HF) power were observed in all SDB groups during REM sleep compared to controls.
  • The LF/HF ratio was significantly lower in MS SDB during SWS, suggesting altered sympathovagal balance.
  • Elevated blood pressure was noted across all sleep states in children with SDB.

Conclusions:

  • Children with SDB exhibit altered HRV, potentially indicating depressed autonomic tone.
  • Elevated blood pressure and repeated SDB events may contribute to cardiovascular disturbances.
  • Further research is needed to understand the long-term cardiovascular implications of impaired HRV and elevated blood pressure in childhood.
Abstract

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