Abstract
ABSTRACT: To assess the influence of intrauterine growth retardation on heart rate (HR) and HR variability during sleep, we performed polygraphic recordings in 10 small-forgestational age (SGA) and 16 appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) newborns. Both groups were clinically and neurologically normal and were at 37 to 41 wk conceptional age. RR intervals were analyzed using the short-time Fourier transform in three frequency bands: 7) high frequency, with a period 3–8 heartbeat; 2) mid frequency, with a period 10–25 heartbeat; and 3) low frequency, with a period 30–100 heartbeat. In both active and quiet sleep, SGA newborns significantly differed from AGA newborns by having a shorter RR interval (p < 0.01) and lower amplitude of HR variability in all bands (p < 0.05) except low frequency in quiet sleep. Quiet sleep differed from active sleep by having a longer RR interval (p < 0.05), higher high-frequency variability (p < 0.02) in both SGA and AGA newborns, and lower low-frequency variability (p < 0.005 for AGA newborns). Our data give evidence of clear modifications of both sympathetic and parasympathetic HR control in the at-risk SGA population. Similarity of between-state characteristics suggests maintained CNS control of HR in SGA as well as in AGA newborns. We speculate that between-group HR and HR variability differences may be related to augmented metabolic rate in SGA compared with AGA newborns.
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Spassov, L., Curzi-Dascalova, L., Clairambault, J. et al. Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability during Sleep in Small-for-Gestational Age Newborns. Pediatr Res 35, 500–504 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199404000-00022
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199404000-00022
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