Analysis of Autonomic, Respiratory and Motor Function of Infants in Pre- and Post-Liver Transplantation

Denise de Souza Rolim¹, Évelim Leal de Freitas Dantas Gomes², Andrea de Oliveira Franco Queiroga¹, Juliana Angi Roche¹, Audrey Borghi-Silva³, Luciana Maria Malosá Sampaio²

¹Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil.
²Post-Graduation Program Science Rehabilitation, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil.
³Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil.

DOI: 10.4236/ijcm.2014.521176                

Abstract

Purpose: Children with liver impairment are likely to develop changes in autonomic nervous function and delay in motor development. The assessment and identification of these dysfunctions may allow an appropriate physiotherapeutic care. Method: Cross sectional study of 18 infants, 11 controls and 7 infants (post-liver transplantation) with an average age of 10 ± 4.5 months, was evaluated in pre- and post-liver transplant. All infants underwent to assessments of motor skills, body composition, chest and abdominal motion, and cardiac autonomic modulation was measured by heart rate variability. Results: Motor delay and malnutrition were found in all infants. The gravity index (PELD)—pediatric end-stage liver disease—showed a negative correlation with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (r = 0.83, p = 0.01). In addition, reduced parasympathetic modulation was demonstrated by the rMSSD, SD1 and ApEn, pre- and post-transplant. Conclusion: Infants with liver disease, even after transplantation, have delay in motor development, as well as changes in their nutritional and autonomic dysfunction.

Keywords

Autonomic Nervous System, Liver Transplant, AIMS, Respiratory System

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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