[Self-similarity in variability of human heart variability at various stages of ontogenesis]. / Samopodobie variabel'nosti serdechnogo ritma cheloveka na razlichnykh étapakh ontogeneza.

We consider the potential of applying wavelet analysis to fluctuations found in physiological systems. We focus on cardiac interbeat interval time series (RR-intervals) from a group of young adults and children and fetus heart beat rate time series (antepartum cardiotocography), because the wavelet analysis of these heart rate dynamics may provide important practical diagnostic and prognostic information not obtainable with current approaches. We show that all the signals analyzed are self-similar and propose a method for estimating this scaling feature.