Title Short-term heart rate variability in a population-based sample of 10-year-old children.
Author Jarrin, Denise C; McGrath, Jennifer J; Poirier, Paul; Seguin, Louise; Tremblay, Richard E; Montplaisir, Jacques Y; Paradis, Gilles; Seguin, Jean R
Journal Pediatr Cardiol Publication Year/Month 2015-Jan
PMID 25056158 PMCID PMC4457514
Affiliation 1.Ecole de psychologie, Universite Laval, Centre d'etude des troubles du sommeil, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en sante mentale de Quebec, Pavillon Felix-Antoine Savard, 2325, rue des Bibliotheques, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada, dcjarrin@gmail.com.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive quantitative marker of cardiac autonomic function derived from continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. Normative HRV values and development factors have not been established in pediatric populations. The objective was to derive referent time- and frequency-domain HRV values for a population-based sample of children. Children aged 9-11 years (N = 1,036) participated in the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development cohort cardiovascular health screening. Registered nurses measured anthropometrics (height, weight) and children wore an ambulatory Holter monitor to continuously record an ECG signal. HRV variables included time (SDNN, pNN50, RMSSD, SDANN) and frequency (HF, LF, LF/HF ratio) domain variables. Normative HRV values, stratified by age, sex, and heart rate, are presented. Greater heart rate (beta avg = -0.60, R avg (2) = 0.39), pubertal maturation (beta avg = -0.11, R avg (2) = 0.01), later ECG recording times (beta avg = -0.19, R avg (2) = 0.07), and higher diastolic blood pressure (beta avg = -0.11, R avg (2) = 0.01) were significantly associated with reduced HRV in 10-year-old children. The normative HRV values permit clinicians to monitor, describe, and establish pediatric nosologies in primary care and research settings, which may improve treatment of diseases associated with HRV in children. By better understanding existing values, the practical applicability of HRV among clinicians will be enhanced. Lastly, developmental (e.g., puberty) and procedural (e.g., recording time) factors were identified that will improve recording procedures and interpretation of results.

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