Autonomic nervous system activity in premature and full-term infants from theoretical term to 7 years

• Published in: Autonomic neuroscience Vol. 136; no. 1; pp. 105 - 109
• Main Authors: De Rogalski Landrot, Ivan, Roche, Frédéric, Pichot, Vincent, Teyssier, Georges, Gaspoz, Jean-Michel, Barthelemy, Jean-Claude, Patural, Hugues
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 30.10.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Age Factors; Aging - physiology; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - etiology; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - physiopathology; Autonomic nervous system; Autonomic Nervous System - growth & development; Autonomic Nervous System - physiopathology; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Electrocardiography; Fourier Analysis; Fourier transform; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart Rate - physiology; Heart rate variability; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases - etiology; Infant, Premature, Diseases - physiopathology; Medical Education; Parasympathetic Nervous System - growth & development; Parasympathetic Nervous System - physiopathology; Peripheral nervous system. Autonomic nervous system. Neuromuscular transmission. Ganglionic transmission. Electric organ; Prematurity; Recovery of Function - physiology; Sleep - physiology; Sympathetic Nervous System - growth & development; Sympathetic Nervous System - physiopathology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; LFnu; autonomic nervous system; SIDS; HFnu; ANS; very low frequencies (ms 2/Hz); high frequencies (ms 2/Hz); Fourier transform; Infant; low frequencies (ms 2/Hz); high frequencies in normalized units (%); Ptot; total power spectrum (ms 2/Hz); VLF; Prematurity; sudden infant death syndrome; GA; LF; gestational age; Heart rate variability; HF; low frequencies in normalized units (%); Autonomic nervous system; Heart rate
• ISSN: 1566-0702; 1872-7484
• DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2007.04.008

Abstract The premature population reaching theoretical term suffers from a major deficit in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, as can be seen from heart rate variability indices. Whether this autonomic function recovers in the long term is not yet established. Thus, we analyzed and compared ANS activity indices, at birth or at the time of the theoretical term, and at ages 2–3 and 6–7 years, in two populations: a group of 30 premature children and a reference group of 14 full-term age-matched newborns. Using Fourier Transform analysis, we studied 24-h ECG Holter recordings to establish heart rate variability indices: Ptot, VLF, LF, HF, ratio LF/HF, LFnu, HFnu. In the neonatal period, sympathetic and even more markedly, parasympathetic activities were very low in prematures compared to the reference full-term group. At ages 2–3 and 6–7 years, prematures had recovered and had similar ANS activity as the full-term group. These data suggest a fast ANS maturation in prematures during the two first years of life, with a higher speed of recovery for the parasympathetic arm. Furthermore, compared evolution shows a faster ANS maturation in premature. Potential mechanisms are discussed.