A Longitudinal Examination of Heart-Rate and Heart Rate Variability as Risk Markers for Child Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in an Acute Injury Sample.

ABSTRACT: Heart rate (HR) alterations in the immediate aftermath of trauma-exposure have been proposed to be potentially useful markers for child and adolescent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it is not yet clear if this holds true for measures taken more distal to the trauma, and no studies have investigated the predictive validity of more sensitive HR variability (HRV) indices. We recruited 76 parent-child pairs (child age 6 to 13 years) after the child experienced a traumatic event leading to presentation at a hospital emergency department. At 1-month post trauma (T1), HR recordings were obtained at rest, and while children verbally recounted their traumatic experience, both alone and together with a parent. Child post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) were assessed concurrently (T1

SUBMITTER: Haag K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6805807 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature