title: Autonomic nervous system activity in premature and full-term infants from theoretical term to 7 years.
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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Physiologie Clinique et de l'Exercice-The Synapse Research Group, France.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Rogalski Landrot
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pichot
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Teyssier
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gaspoz
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Barthelemy
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Patural
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000503:physiopathology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000503:physiopathology