The heart rate variability analysis in youth and children with bronchial asthma
Ostrowska-Nawarycz, L.; Wroński, W.; Błaszczyk, J.; Buczyłko, K.; Nawarycz, T.
Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego 20(118): 399-403
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 1426-9686 PMID: 16886560 Document Number: 600643
The aim of the study was analysis of the spectral parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) in children and youth with different intensity of bronchial asthma. The study was conducted in the group of 107 children and adolescents, aged 10-17 years, comprising 58 healthy subjects and 49 with bronchial asthma (22 with mild and 27 with moderate asthma). Spectral HRV parameters at rest and under active orthostatic test conditions (5 min--supine position, 5 min--standing position) were analysed in two age subgroups: group A--children aged 10-13 years and group B--youth aged 14-17 years. In both subgroups at rest a growing tendency for high frequency components (HF) of HRV spectra was observed together with greater intensity of asthma. In the youth group with moderate asthma, the HF component (40.8 +/- 14.0 n.u.) at rest was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the age-matched control (30.8 +/- 10.7 n.u.). In all the groups examined assuming erect position resulted in a significant rise in LF/HF index, which was most pronounced in the groups with mild (p < 0.01) and moderate asthma (p < 0.05). The study confirmed a significant association between the vagal activity in children and youth and frequency and intensity of bronchial asthma. A short-term HRV analysis can be utilised in the assessment of autonomic mechanism role in the development of bronchial asthma in children and youth.