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The Development of Heart Rate Variability in Childhood-Insights into the Biology of Heart Rate Regulation

Journal: Journal of Heart Health (Vol.5, No. 2)

Publication Date:

Authors : ;

Page : 1-9

Keywords : Heart Rate Variability; Body Mass Index; Anorexia Nervosa; Obesity; Children;

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Abstract

The current doctrine of dual regulation of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) via the autonomic nervous system has many limitations, mostly in children of different ages and nutritional states. Methods: We analyzed 24-hour HRV in a group of 126 healthy children with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) in addition to 146 obese children with a BMI >90% and 32 children with anorexia nervosa with a BMI <10%. We included the ratio of body weight to body surface area in our analysis to prove the impact of thermogenesis on HRV analysis. Results: The high impact of age on HRV in the 126 healthy children with a normal BMI disappeared after including children with high and low BMIs. Linear regression analysis showed that HRV in childhood is not a sign of age-dependent maturation of the autonomic nervous system; rather, it is related to the age-dependent changes in body surface area, height, and weight. The ratio of body weight to body surface area indicates two different systems to regulate the heart rate in children with a ratio >/<30 kg/m2 . Conclusion: Our data indicate a third regulatory system that is important in HRV analysis in addition to the dual regulation of the vagus and sympathicus. This system is related to age-dependent changes in body surface area, height, and weight. These factors depend on nutrition and energy demands and are probably regulated by the HCN4 gene.

Last modified: 2021-09-18 16:00:36