Decreased heart rate variability in children born with low birth weight

作者：Rakow Alexander^*; Katz Salamon Miriam; Ericson Mats; Edner Ann; Vanpee Mireille

来源：Pediatric Research, 2013, 74(3): 339-343.

DOI：10.1038/pr.2013.97

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity in adulthood. Imbalance in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has been implicated as a mechanism behind the developmental programming of cardiovascular function. We hypothesized that deviations in the ANS function are seen in children born with LBW. %26lt;br%26gt;METHODS: Eighty-six children were included: 31 born pre-term (%26lt;32 wk gestational age), 27 born at term but small for gestational age (SGA), and 28 born at term with normal birth weight (control). Twenty-four-hour Holter-electrocardiogram monitoring was performed at an average age of 9 y. Heart rate variability results were analyzed using frequency and time domain methods. %26lt;br%26gt;RESULTS: All frequency components and both time domain parameters tested were significantly lower in the preterm and SGA children compared with controls. The low frequency/high frequency ratio was not significantly different between children born with LBW and controls. %26lt;br%26gt;CONCLUSION: The autonomic control appears to be affected in children born with LBW despite gestational age at birth. Decreased total power, as an estimation of the ANS%26apos;s global activity, rather than the balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic modulation might be an early marker of cardiovascular disease later on in life for LBW born children.

• 出版日期2013-9