Assessment of Autonomic Nervous System in Children with Celiac Disease: A Heart Rate Variability Study.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the activity of autonomic nervous system in children with celiac disease by using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.

METHODS

HRV parameters of 37 children with celiac disease were compared to 36 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. None of the participants had a systemic, central or peripheral neurological disease.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were present in two parameters; standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN) and standard deviation of 5-minute RR interval means (SDANN). Age was negatively correlated with mean, minimum and maximum heart rate. Duration of disease was positively correlated with low frequency power-high frequency power ratio. No correlation was found between anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA level and HRV parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Celiac disease may affect autonomic nervous function in children even if there are no symptoms of dysautonomia.