Nocturnal heart rate variability in 1-year-old infants analyzed by using the Least Square Cosine Spectrum Method

Background: To evaluate the dynamic nature of nocturnal heart rate variability, RR intervals recorded with a wearable heart rate sensor were analyzed using the Least Square Cosine Spectrum Method. Methods: Six 1-year-old infants participated in the study. A wearable heart rate sensor was placed on their chest to measure RR intervals and 3-axis acceleration. Heartbeat time series were analyzed for every 30 s using the Least Square Cosine Spectrum Method, and an original parameter to quantify the regularity of respiratory-related heart rate rhythm was extracted and referred to as RA (RA-COSPEC: Respiratory Area obtained by COSPEC). The RA value is higher when a cosine curve is fitted to the original data series. Results: The time sequential changes of RA showed cyclic changes with significant rhythm during the night. The mean cycle length of RA was 70 +/- 15 min, which is shorter than young adult's cycle in our previous study. At the threshold level of RA greater than 3, the HR was significantly decreased compared with the RA value less than 3. Conclusions: The regularity of heart rate rhythm showed dynamic changes during the night in 1-year-old infants. Significant decrease of HR at the time of higher RA suggests the increase of parasympathetic activity. We suspect that the higher RA reflects the regular respiratory pattern during the night. This analysis system may be useful for quantitative assessment of regularity and dynamic changes of nocturnal heart rate variability in infants.