Classical Cardiovascular Autonomic Function Tests in School Children of Urban Population: A Normative Study

Abstract

Almost all organs systems in the body are under the influence of autonomic nervous system (ANS) for maintaining homeostatic regulatory functions. Many of the present lifestyle related disorders like hypertension and obesity have their primary pathology in the homeostatic derangements. Childhood overweight and high blood pressure increase the risk of subsequent obesity and hypertension in adulthood. To the best of our knowledge there is no sufficient qualitative and quantitative data in childhood which restricts the use of this tool in scientific medical practice and in understanding the occurrence of these systemic diseases in near future. The plan of our study is to assess the classical cardiovascular autonomic functions tests in school children and to generate normative data to validate the subtle variations present in childhood for an earlier intervention.