Publication Details
Abstract
Congenital heart defects in early childhood are frequently accompanied not only by structural and hemodynamic abnormalities but also by disturbances of autonomic cardiovascular regulation that may significantly influence adaptive capacity and functional stability of the growing organism. The present study aimed to evaluate the state of the autonomic nervous system in young children with congenital heart defects through analysis of heart rate variability parameters. A total of 80 children aged from 3 months to 5 years were included and divided into cyanotic and non-cyanotic groups according to the type of congenital cardiac pathology. Clinical examination, pulse oximetry, echocardiography, and electrocardiographic recording with subsequent heart rate variability assessment were performed in all patients. Children with cyanotic congenital heart defects demonstrated lower oxygen saturation together with significant reduction of parasympathetic activity and increased sympathetic predominance compared with non-cyanotic forms, indicating more pronounced autonomic imbalance associated with chronic systemic hypoxemia.