Heart rate changes during spontaneous arousals in term and preterm infants

Aim: To determine whether prematurity affects heart rate responses during spontaneous arousals. Methods: Polygraphic recordings were performed during undisturbed daytime naps in 35 preterm infants (gestational age at birth 32±2 weeks) and 35 term infants. Arousals were scored according to the recommendations of the International Paediatric Work Group on Arousals and categorized either as cortical arousals (CA) or subcortical arousals (SCA). Heart rate (HR) was measured during arousal and during the 10-second and 30-second period before and after arousal. Changes in HR were expressed as the percentage of modifica…