Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Infant temperament and cardiac vagal tone: assessments at twelve weeks of age

L C Huffman1, Y E Bryan, R del Carmen

  • 1Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. lynne.huffman@stanford.edu

Child Development
|July 29, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Infant temperament is linked to cardiac vagal tone. Higher resting cardiac vagal tone in infants correlated with fewer negative behaviors, while decreased vagal tone during challenges indicated longer attention spans.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Psychophysiology

Background:

  • Cardiac vagal tone (CVT), a measure of parasympathetic nervous system activity, is crucial for self-regulation.
  • Infant temperament, characterized by individual differences in reactivity and self-regulation, is associated with physiological responses.
  • Understanding the interplay between CVT and temperament in early development is vital for identifying potential developmental trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between temperament and cardiac vagal tone in 12-week-old infants.
  • To examine how basal CVT and changes in CVT during challenges relate to observed and parent-reported temperament characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty 12-week-old infants participated in a laboratory study.
  • Temperament was assessed through laboratory observations and maternal questionnaires.
  • Cardiac vagal tone (respiratory sinus arrhythmia amplitude) was measured during rest and during social/attention challenges.

Main Results:

  • Infants with higher baseline CVT exhibited fewer negative behaviors and were less distressed during the experiment.
  • A decrease in CVT during laboratory challenges was associated with maternal ratings of longer attention spans and easier soothability.

Conclusions:

  • Baseline cardiac vagal tone may reflect an infant's regulatory capacity and behavioral style.
  • Changes in CVT during challenges offer insights into attentional and self-soothing abilities, linking physiological responses to temperament traits.

More Related Videos

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges08:22

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges

Published on: February 25, 2016

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood08:09

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood

Published on: February 11, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of apical pulse01:17

Assessment of apical pulse

Assessing the Apical Pulse
Assessing the apical pulse is a critical nursing procedure, particularly indicated for:
Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate01:20

Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate

Assessment of Ventilation
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm01:29

Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm

Respiratory Depth
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation01:27

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation

Palpation involves feeling the body to evaluate texture, size, consistency, and tenderness for assessing cardiovascular health. The following steps are organized in a head-to-toe order:
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System IV: Auscultation01:25

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System IV: Auscultation

Cardiac auscultation is a clinical skill used to assess heart function and detect abnormalities. It involves listening to heart sounds at specific anatomical locations through a stethoscope.
Normal Heart Sounds
S1 (First Heart Sound)-
S1 is made by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves (atrioventricular valves), marking the beginning of systole.
S2 (Second Heart Sound)-
S2 is made by the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves (semilunar valves), marking the end of the systole.