title: [Tests of autonomic nervous system functioning in children: normal values].
abstract: The study of cardiovascular autonomic reflexes is the most physiological and reliable test for the assessment of autonomic function: they consist of the analysis of variation of heart rate and arterial pressure provoked by many physiological stimuli. Up to now normal pediatric reference data were not available: we have standardized these tests in 198 normal children (94 M, 104 F), aged 8.3-15.7 years, without any symptom of possible autonomic dysfunction pathology. A complete auxological evaluation has been performed. Autonomic tests were performed by ECG recording and arterial pressure monitoring during normal and deep breathing, Valsalva manoeuvre, lying to standing postural change, isometric muscular contraction (sustained hand-grip and leg rising). Eleven autonomic parameters were obtained. Many statistical correlation between autonomic parameters and auxological features have been explored, without remarkable results. A significative difference emerged only between sexes. Normal reference values has been calculated. Their utility for the study of autonomic dysfunction is discussed.
authors.affiliation: U.O. Pediatria, U.S.L. n. 6, Presidio Ospedaliero di Lucca.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Domenici
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meossi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Saponati
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D012016:Reference Values; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics
vernacular_title: Le prove di funzionalità del sistema nervoso autonomo nel bambino: valori normali.