Long-term changes in heart rate variability in elementary school-aged children with sleep-disordered breathing

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Anna Vlahandonis1, Stephanie R Yiallourou1, Scott A Sands2

  • 1The Ritchie Centre, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Sleep Medicine
|November 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Long-term pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) did not impact heart rate variability (HRV) four years later. Both resolved and unresolved SDB groups showed improved breathing, but all children experienced age-related HRV decline.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Function

Background:

  • Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children is linked to autonomic dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk.
  • The long-term impact of resolved or persistent pediatric SDB on heart rate variability (HRV) remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of resolved and unresolved pediatric SDB on HRV.
  • To compare HRV in children with SDB history versus healthy controls four years post-diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Forty children with prior SDB diagnosis and 20 controls underwent repeat polysomnography (PSG) after four years.
  • Children were categorized into resolved (OAHI≤1) or unresolved (OAHI>1) SDB groups.
  • Heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed using power spectral analysis across sleep stages.

Main Results:

  • Both resolved and unresolved SDB groups demonstrated significant improvement in obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI).
  • No significant differences in HRV were observed between non-snoring children and those with resolved or unresolved SDB.
  • All groups exhibited a reduction in HRV parameters and an increase in the LF/HF ratio from baseline to follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric SDB resolution or persistence did not lead to long-term HRV differences compared to controls four years later.
  • Observed HRV changes across all groups suggest an age-related phenomenon rather than SDB-specific long-term effects.
  • Improved OAHI in SDB groups indicates effective management or natural resolution of breathing issues.
Abstract

Keywords:
Autonomic dysfunctionFollow-upHeart rate variabilityPediatricSleep disordered breathingTreatment

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