Decreased neonatal heart rate variability was significantly related to the severity of respiratory distress syndrome and differentiated infants who survived after the fifth hour of life.
Observational (n=92)
What factors affect neonatal heart rate variability in preterm infants, and how does it relate to respiratory distress syndrome?
Neonatal heart rate variability is decreased in respiratory distress syndrome and can serve as an indicator of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.
Neonatal heart rate variability (NHRV) was studied in 92 preterm infants (birth weight, 750 to 2,500 gm; gestational age, 28 to 36 weeks). Each infant was monitored continuously during the first 6 hours and for one hour at 24, 48, and 168 hours of life. During each hour NHRV was quantified and related to the following parameters: sex, gestational age, postnatal age, heart rate, and the presence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). NHRV in healthy preterm infants was inversely related to heart rate level and directly related to the infant's postnatal age. In healthy babies with gestations of 30 to 36 weeks there was no significant correlation between NHRV and gestation. Decrease in NHRV was significantly related to the severity of RDS, and the reappearance of NHRV in infants with RDS was associated with a good prognosis. Decreased NHRV significantly differentiated the infants with RDS who survived after the fifth hour of life. The data reveal that NHRV (1) should be corrected for heart rate level and postnatal age; (2) is decreased in RDS; and (3) can be used as an indicator of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants with RDS.
Cabal et al. (Tue,) conducted a observational in Preterm infants (n=92). Neonatal heart rate variability (NHRV) was evaluated on Relationship between NHRV and clinical parameters including severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Decreased neonatal heart rate variability was significantly related to the severity of respiratory distress syndrome and differentiated infants who survived after the fifth hour of life.