Autonomic nervous system function in infants and adolescents: impact of autonomic tests on heart rate variability.

Measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) shows information on the functional state of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In adults there are standardized autonomic tests and well-established ranges of normal values, which is not the case in children. The aim of the present study was (1) to introduce an ANS test battery, especially for children and adolescents; (2) to establish normative HRV parameters; and (3) to determine the impact of ANS tests on HRV parameters compared with baseline measurements.