Heart rate variability: Linear and non-linear analysis of pre-awake period for normal and intrauterine growth restricted children at 10 year

Non-optimal fetal growth has been associated with an increased risk of coronary heart diseases in later life. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive method reflecting autonomic cardiac function and decreased heart rate variability has been associated with arrhythmic complications in humans. This study compares the result of linear and nonlinear HRV measures performed in long term (24 h) versus short term (15 min before awakening) interbeat interval time series data of normal and growth restricted children who were 9-10 years old. The aim of the study was to investigate which HRV measures obtained from short term recording reliably reflect information provided by long term recording. The comparability of HRV parameters derived from long term and short term recordings showed that low birth weight growth restricted children (IUGR) have low HRV. The findings indicated that low birth weight in growth retarded may be associated with negative cardiovascular outcome.