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Updated: Jun 26, 2025
Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Children
Published on: April 29, 2013
Pediatric Primary Raynaud's Phenomenon: A Comprehensive Cardiovascular Analysis.
Şeyma Özpınar1, Helen Bornaun2, Hafize Emine Sönmez3
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. drseymapolat@gmail.com.
Pediatric patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) exhibit cardiac diastolic dysfunction and increased aortic stiffness. These findings suggest an elevated risk for atherosclerosis in children with RP.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatrics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a vasospastic disorder.
- Cardiovascular implications in pediatric RP are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cardiovascular findings in pediatric primary RP patients.
- To identify potential pathological changes and atherosclerosis risk.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurements were performed on 42 pediatric RP patients (7-18 years) and 30 controls.
- Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Pediatric RP patients showed diastolic dysfunction (increased A wave velocity, E/E' ratio; prolonged IVRT; decreased E/A ratio).
- Increased myocardial performance index (MPI) indicated biventricular dysfunction.
- Elevated aortic stiffness and CIMT, with decreased distensibility, were observed in RP patients.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric primary RP is associated with significant cardiac diastolic dysfunction.
- Increased aortic and carotid stiffness suggest an increased risk of atherosclerosis in these children.
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