Normative Values for Heart Rate Variability Parameters in School-Aged Children: Simple Approach Considering...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Autonomic Nervous System Function
• Biomedical Signal Analysis

Background:

• Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is crucial for assessing cardiac autonomic status.
• Establishing normative HRV values in children is essential for clinical interpretation.
• Previous studies lacked comprehensive normative data for school-aged children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine normative values for short-term HRV parameters in school-aged children.
• To identify and account for the primary determinants of HRV in this population.
• To develop HR-corrected HRV parameters for improved clinical utility.

Main Methods:

• Collected 5-minute ECGs from 312 non-athlete children (ages 6-13).
• Calculated time- and frequency-domain HRV parameters.
• Utilized multiple regression to identify HR as the main determinant; corrected HRV for HR.

Main Results:

• HRV parameters, after HR correction, became independent of sex and HR, with minimal age dependency.
• Normal ranges were established for both time- and frequency-domain HRV indices.
• A supplementary calculator was developed to simplify the conversion of standard to corrected HRV parameters.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first HR-independent normative HRV values for school-aged children.
• The developed normative values and calculator enhance the clinical and research application of HRV analysis.
• Accurate HRV assessment in children is now more accessible for evaluating autonomic function.