Heart rate variability in children with inflammatory bowel diseases
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Published on: June 5, 2019
Daniela Jelenova1, Marie Ociskova1, Jan Prasko1
1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Insights
Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exhibit reduced heart rate variability (HRV) oscillations, indicating a diminished capacity to adapt to stress. This finding highlights potential autonomic nervous system dysregulation in pediatric IBD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Autonomic Nervous System Function
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic nervous system (ANS) function.
- Autonomic instabilities are implicated in various clinical disorders.
- Chronic distress may impact ANS function in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate HRV as a potential marker of chronic distress in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- To compare HRV parameters between pediatric IBD patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Compared HRV spectral activity in children with IBD (n=29) versus healthy controls (n=35).
- Participants aged 13-16 years.
- HRV assessed in multiple body positions.
Main Results:
- Adolescents with IBD showed significantly lower low-frequency (LF) band spectral activity across all positions.
- Reduced very low-frequency (VLF) activity was observed in supine positions for IBD patients.
- The LF/HF ratio was significantly lower in the standing position for children with IBD.
Conclusions:
- Children with IBD demonstrate reduced adaptability to stress.
- HRV alterations suggest ANS dysregulation in pediatric IBD.
- These findings may have implications for managing stress in IBD patients.
Objective:
Heart rate variability (HRV) oscillations are used in the detection of autonomic instabilities in various clinical disorders.
Methods:
We compared the HRV as a possible marker of chronic distress in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with HRV frequencies in the healthy controls. Participants were 29 children with IBD (19 Crohn's disease and 10 ulcerative colitis), 25 children were in remission and 4 presented mild disease activity. They were compared with the control group of 35 healthy children of the same age (13-16 years-old).
Results:
In HRV assessment, adolescents with IBD had significantly lower levels of the spectral activity in an LF band in all three positions; lower levels of VLF in both supine positions; and the ratio of the spectral activity at LF/HF was significantly lower in the second post (standing).
Conclusion:
These results indicate children with IBD have less adaptability to stress.
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