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Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
08:22

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges

Published on: February 25, 2016

The development of autonomic cardiovascular control is altered by preterm birth

Stephanie R Yiallourou1, Nicole B Witcombe, Scott A Sands

  • 1The Ritchie Centre, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. stephanie.yiallourou@monash.edu

Early Human Development
|October 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants show developing autonomic control with increased parasympathetic heart modulation and decreased sympathetic blood pressure modulation. However, compared to term infants, they exhibit less parasympathetic heart modulation and lower sympathetic blood pressure control, potentially increasing cardiovascular risks.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Development
  • Cardiovascular Regulation

Background:

  • Autonomic dysfunction in preterm infants may link to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and adult hypertension.
  • Limited understanding of autonomic function development in preterm infants necessitates further research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare autonomic cardiovascular control between preterm and term infants during the first six months post-term corrected age.
  • To investigate the maturation of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Polysomnography was used to study 25 preterm and 31 term infants at 2-4 weeks, 2-3 months, and 5-6 months corrected age.
  • Blood pressure and heart rate variability (BPV and HRV) spectral indices (LF, HF, LF/HF ratio) were analyzed during quiet and active sleep.

Main Results:

  • Preterm infants showed age-related increases in high-frequency (HF) heart rate variability (HRV) and decreases in low-frequency (LF)/HF HRV and LF blood pressure variability (BPV), particularly during active sleep.
  • At 5-6 months corrected age, preterm infants had lower LF, HF, and total HRV during quiet sleep compared to term infants.
  • Preterm infants exhibited higher HF BPV and lower LF BPV at specific time points compared to term infants.

Conclusions:

  • Maturation in preterm infants involves increased parasympathetic heart modulation and decreased sympathetic blood pressure modulation.
  • Preterm infants demonstrate comparatively reduced parasympathetic heart modulation and sympathetic blood pressure control, alongside greater respiratory influences.
  • Impaired autonomic control in preterm infants may predispose them to future cardiovascular dysfunction.
Abstract

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