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Cardiac Autonomic Function in the First Hours of Postnatal Life: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study in Term Neonates

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate heart rate variability (HRV) within the first hours of extrauterine life in term neonates. HRV at 2-h and 14-h postpartum were compared by means of time domains (iRR, SDNN, and rMSSD); frequency domains (TP, LF, HF, and LF/HF ratio); and Poincare’s Plot (SD1 and SD2) indices of HRV in 27 healthy, male, term newborns (NBs) born of elective cesarean delivery. Within 14 h after birth, the mean of the iRRs increased (Δ% = 4.4, p < 0.001) as well as parasympathetic indices (rMSSD: Δ% = 32.6; p < 0.03; HF: Δ% = 43.6; p < 0.00; SD1: Δ% = 32.6, p < 0.03). Respiratory rate (RR) decreased (RR: 2 h = 48 (43–55) cycle/min vs. 14 h = 45 (40–48) cycle/min p < 0.01). We concluded that within the first 14 h of birth, cardiac autonomic adjustments are characterized by an increase in parasympathetic activity. Concurrently, there were no significant changes observed in all other HRV indices in healthy, male, term neonates, and born of elective cesarean delivery.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are gratefully acknowledged to the Neonatology team from Hospital Anchieta, by their valuable technical assistance.

Funding

No financial assistance was received in support of the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil

    Leva A. Shayani, Carlos J. da Cruz, Luiz Guilherme G. Porto & Guilherme E. Molina

  2. Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Boston, MA, USA

    Luiz Guilherme G. Porto

Authors
  1. Leva A. Shayani
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  2. Carlos J. da Cruz
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  3. Luiz Guilherme G. Porto
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  4. Guilherme E. Molina
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Contributions

Substantial contributions to conception and design, and acquisition of data by LAS and GEM. Drafting the article or revising it critically by CJC, LGGP, and GEM. Final approval of the version to be published by LAS, CJC, LGGP, and GEM.

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Correspondence to Guilherme E. Molina.

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Shayani, L.A., da Cruz, C.J., Porto, L.G.G. et al. Cardiac Autonomic Function in the First Hours of Postnatal Life: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study in Term Neonates. Pediatr Cardiol 40, 1703–1708 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-019-02207-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-019-02207-y

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