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Observational Study
. 2019 Aug 16;19(1):198.
doi: 10.1186/s12872-019-1166-4.

Evaluation of the autonomic nervous system by analysis of heart rate variability in the preterm infants

Luiz Fernando Martins de Souza Filho  1 , Jordana Campos Martins de Oliveira  2 , Mayara Kelly Alves Ribeiro  2 , Marcelo Cozac Moura  2 , Nelson David Fernandes  2 , Rafael Dias de Sousa  2 , Gustavo Rodrigues Pedrino  2 , Ana Cristina Silva Rebelo  2
Affiliations
Observational Study

Evaluation of the autonomic nervous system by analysis of heart rate variability in the preterm infants

Luiz Fernando Martins de Souza Filho et al. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Premature infants may present with damage to the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which may be related to poorer neurological development. Among the techniques used to evaluate the ANS, heart rate variability (HRV) emerged as a simple, non-invasive, and easy to apply tool. The aim of the present study was to analyze and compare HRV in preterm infants at different times of hospitalization in order to verify the possible environmental relationships or clinical evolution with HRV.

Methods: A longitudinal, prospective, and descriptive study with non-probabilistic sampling composed of 25 collections of preterm infants of HRV at two moments: moment I (within 15 days of birth) and moment II (after 45 days post-birth). The Polar V800 heart rate monitor was used with the Polar H10 cardiac transducer to collect HRV, which was collected in the supine position for 15 min. The HRV data were analyzed by the linear method in frequency domain and time domain and by the nonlinear method using Kubios HRV analysis software, version 3.0.2.

Results: There was an increase in HRV values at moment II, these being statistically significant in the SD1, ApEn, and SampEn. Data related to increased sympathetic nervous system activity, parasympathetic nervous system activity, and increased index complexity.

Conclusions: The data demonstrate an increase in HRV values in premature infants at moment II, demonstrating a possible development in the maturation of the ANS during hospitalization.

Trial registration: RBR-3x7gz8 retrospectively registered.

Keywords: Autonomic nervous system; Cardiac autonomic nervous system; Heart rate; Heart rate variability; Postnatal adaptation; Preterm infants.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Illustration of the graphical analysis of the preterm infants in the Poincare Plot. a moment I, lower complexity of the indices (known as “torpedo”). b moment II, more dispersed patterns are related to greater complexity of the indices (known as “comet”)
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