title: Cry threshold predicts regulatory disorder in newborn infants.
abstract: Studied the autonomic regulation of 37 infants with a typical cry threshold and 17 infants with a high cry threshold (typical of problems in nervous system function). Infants with a high cry threshold had a longer latency to cry, a shorter first cry sound, and a shorter overall bout of crying. Spectrum analysis of 2 hours of heart rate variability showed that a high cry threshold was predictive of fewer reliable rhythms and a lower power of the basic 40-min rhythm in heart rate. High cry threshold infants also showed fewer startles and changes in behavioral state. Results suggest a high cry threshold predicts disrupted autonomic regulation and poor coordination among rhythmic systems affecting cardiac activity.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Zeskind
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Goff
mesh_terms: D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003448:Crying / Q000502:physiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018730:Infant Behavior; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D012684:Sensory Thresholds