AUTHOR=Patural Hugues , Franco Patricia , Pichot Vincent , Giraud Antoine 

TITLE=Heart Rate Variability Analysis to Evaluate Autonomic Nervous System Maturation in Neonates: An Expert Opinion

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2022.860145

DOI=10.3389/fped.2022.860145

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=<p>While heart rate variability (HRV) is a relevant non-invasive tool to assess the autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning with recognized diagnostic and therapeutic implications, the lack of knowledge on its interest in neonatal medicine is certain. This review aims to briefly describe the algorithms used to decompose variations in the length of the RR interval and better understand the physiological autonomic maturation data of the newborn. Assessing newborns’ autonomous reactivity can identify dysautonomia situations and discriminate children with a high risk of life-threatening events, which should benefit from cardiorespiratory monitoring at home. Targeted monitoring of HRV should provide an objective reflection of the newborn’s intrinsic capacity for cardiorespiratory self-regulation.</p>