Low-frequency respiratory rhythms in infants during the first six months of life.

The aim of the study was to investigate characteristics of low-frequency components in respiration. Sixteen healthy term infants were examined from the first day up to the 6th month of life. The respirogram, instantaneous respiratory frequency and respiratory amplitude of undisturbed segments of quiet sleep phases and periodic breathing (PB) were analysed via fast Fourier transformation.

Linear and nonlinear properties of heart rate control in infants at risk.

The aim of this study was to test whether the heart rate (HR) control in infants at risk differs in comparison with healthy infants. Twelve former preterm infants suffering from bronchopulmonary dysplasia and 18 control infants, matched for their postconceptional age, were examined polygraphically during quiet and active sleep. HR, low-frequency (LF) power, high-frequency (HF) power, total power, and the ratio of LF to HF power (LF/HF) of the instantaneous HR spectra were calculated for linear analysis.

Development of heart rate power spectra reveals neonatal peculiarities of cardiorespiratory control.

Postnatal adaptation should be associated with changes in cardiac rhythmic behavior. To examine the development of heart rate variability, instantaneous heart rate (IHR) and the corresponding breathing signals of 16 healthy infants were analyzed. This was pursued by use of fast Fourier transformation beginning with the 1st day until the 6th mo of life.

Computerized dynamic electrocardio-respirography with psychic load: new possibilities for preventive health care.

Proceeding from the role played by psychic load as a pathogenetic factor, its mechanism of action and its predominant importance in every-day life, a computerized system-analytical method was developed by which regulatory disorders may be realized under close-to-reality psychic load as possible risk factors or precursors of organically manifest illness. The method has already been introduced for routine preventive diagnostics under the heading of dynamic electrocardiography with standardized psychic load since cardiac arrhythmia, due to psychic load, has proved to be of particular relevance to preventive health care. The conditions for preventive health care and for further elucidation of psychophysiological regulation behavior have been substantially improved by its recent expansion to the level of dynamic electrocardio-respirography which additionally enables differentiated regulation-diagnostic evaluation of the respiratory system and its close interrelations with the cardiovascular system.