Evaluation of the first-night effect of polysomnographic recording on cardiac autonomic activity in children with autism spectrum disorder

Introduction. The first night effect (FNE) is the tendency to have lower than usual sleep quality and quantity during polysomnography (PSG) recording, which alters architecture. FNE occurs in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with studies suggesting that cardiac autonomic dysregulation altered patients this illness. Objective. To determine whether influences activity of ASD typically developing (TD) children. Method. Two PSGs were recorded 13 TD was evaluated eight variables through respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) low frequency (LF). Statistical analyses included intra- inter-subject comparisons. Results. present both groups affected more group. There no significant differences between recordings RSA LF. Inter-subject comparison showed certain variables, mainly night. A LF N2 N3 stages REM group had measures whereas only did so Discussion conclusion. influence on quantitative characteristics corroborated children, but not or When considered, a different pattern observed two PSG recordings.