Analysis of cardiac autonomic modulation of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroductionAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by decreased attention span, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) imbalance was previously described in this population. We aimed to compare the autonomic function of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and controls by analyzing heart rate variability.MethodsChildren rested in supine position with spontaneous breathing for 20 minutes. Heart rate was recorded beat by beat. HRV analysis was performed in the time and frequency domains and Poincare plot. Results28 children with ADHD (22 boys, aged 9.964 years old) and 28 controls (15 boys, age 9.857 years old) participated in this study. The indexes which indicate parasympathetic activity are higher in the children with ADHD than in children without disorder: HFnu: 46.182 (14.159) vs 40.632 (12.247); RMSSD: 41.821 (17.834) vs 38.150 (18.357); NN50: 199.75 (144.00) vs 127.46 (102.21)*; pNN50: 23.957 (17.316) vs 16.211 (13.215); SD1: 29.586 (12.622) vs 26.989 (12.983). * p < 0.05.ConclusionComparison of the autonomic function by analyzing heart rate variability suggests an increase in the activity of the parasympathetic autonomic nervous systems in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in relation to control group.Key words: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; autonomic nervous system; children; heart rate variability. (AU)