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Short-term heart rate variability in a population-based sample of 10-year-old children
Denise C Jarrin1, Jennifer J McGrath, Paul Poirier
1École de psychologie, Université Laval, Centre d'étude des troubles du sommeil, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Pavillon Félix-Antoine Savard, 2325, rue des Bibliothèques, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada, dcjarrin@gmail.com.
Insights
This study establishes normative heart rate variability (HRV) values for children aged 9-11, identifying factors like heart rate and puberty that influence cardiac autonomic function. These findings aid clinical interpretation and pediatric health monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Function
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Heart rate variability (HRV) quantifies cardiac autonomic function using ECG, but pediatric normative data and developmental factors are lacking.
- Establishing these benchmarks is crucial for accurate clinical assessment and research in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive referent time- and frequency-domain HRV values for a population-based sample of children aged 9-11 years.
- To identify developmental and procedural factors influencing HRV in this pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 1,036 children (9-11 years) in the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development.
- Collected continuous ECG recordings via ambulatory Holter monitors and measured anthropometrics.
- Analyzed time-domain (SDNN, pNN50, RMSSD, SDANN) and frequency-domain (HF, LF, LF/HF ratio) HRV variables.
Main Results:
- Presented normative HRV values stratified by age, sex, and heart rate.
- Identified significant associations between reduced HRV and higher heart rate, pubertal maturation, later ECG recording times, and elevated diastolic blood pressure in 10-year-olds.
- Reported effect sizes for these associations (e.g., heart rate β avg = -0.60).
Conclusions:
- Normative HRV values provide essential benchmarks for pediatric clinical practice and research.
- Understanding developmental (puberty) and procedural (recording time) factors enhances HRV interpretation and application in children.
- Improved HRV assessment can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric diseases linked to autonomic dysfunction.
Abstract:
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive quantitative marker of cardiac autonomic function derived from continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. Normative HRV values and development factors have not been established in pediatric populations. The objective was to derive referent time- and frequency-domain HRV values for a population-based sample of children. Children aged 9-11 years (N = 1,036) participated in the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development cohort cardiovascular health screening. Registered nurses measured anthropometrics (height, weight) and children wore an ambulatory Holter monitor to continuously record an ECG signal. HRV variables included time (SDNN, pNN50, RMSSD, SDANN) and frequency (HF, LF, LF/HF ratio) domain variables. Normative HRV values, stratified by age, sex, and heart rate, are presented. Greater heart rate (β avg = -0.60, R avg (2) = 0.39), pubertal maturation (β avg = -0.11, R avg (2) = 0.01), later ECG recording times (β avg = -0.19, R avg (2) = 0.07), and higher diastolic blood pressure (β avg = -0.11, R avg (2) = 0.01) were significantly associated with reduced HRV in 10-year-old children. The normative HRV values permit clinicians to monitor, describe, and establish pediatric nosologies in primary care and research settings, which may improve treatment of diseases associated with HRV in children. By better understanding existing values, the practical applicability of HRV among clinicians will be enhanced. Lastly, developmental (e.g., puberty) and procedural (e.g., recording time) factors were identified that will improve recording procedures and interpretation of results.
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