596 - Heart Rate Variability in Children with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Poster Number: 596
Publication Number: 596.309

Kathley LeTran, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Northridge, CA, United States; Daniel G. Goroso, University of Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil, Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Jose L. Puglisi, California Northstate University College of Medicine, Elk Grove, CA, United States; Tony J. Simon, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States; Kathleen Angkustsiri, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV), the variation in time between heartbeats, is a reliable biomarker and noninvasive indicator of autonomic nervous system function. HRV may be used as an index for stress and anxiety, and lower HRV has been linked with stress and anxiety disorders in children. Children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q; Velocardiofacial or DiGeorge Syndrome) experience higher levels of anxiety and stress, however autonomic function of children with 22q has not yet been explored.

Objective: The goal of the study was to examine resting HRV in children with 22q and typically developing (TD) children following a stressful event (electroencephalogram during neurocognitive tasks).

Design/Methods: HRV data was collected after completing computer tasks for a larger study focused on neurocognitive function in children with 22q. After the electroencephalogram session, the cap was removed and participants were given a hair washing and five minute break. Resting HRV was then measured through a fingertip blood volume pulse sensor for this five minute resting period. Participants included 12 children with 22q (ages 12 to 18; average age 15.5 yrs, 6 female/6 male) and 24 TD (ages 12 to 18; average age 14.6 yrs, 13 female/11 male). Kubios HRV Premium version 3.4 software was used for processing raw R-R interval data and a customized program using the MATLAB R2018a® package was used for statistical analysis. Fifteen indexes were calculated in the time-, frequency-domain, and a nonlinear parameter (sample entropy). One way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests were applied, p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: For time domain functions, children with 22q had a significantly faster heart rate, larger standard deviation of heart rate, but had significantly lower NN50 (number of R-R intervals that differ by greater than 50ms) values than TD children. There were no significant differences between groups within frequency domain functions. Children with 22q had significantly lower approximate (p=0.001) and sample entropy (p=0.03) values than TD children.Conclusion(s): These findings suggest that children with 22q may have different stress responses than TD children. Teens with 22q may have decreased HRV when recovering from a stressful event. Future studies with large sample sizes collected before, during, and after periods of stress are needed.
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