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Breath holding spells in 91 children and response to treatment with iron
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz (Black Sea) Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
Insights
Iron treatment significantly reduces breath holding spells (BHS) in children with iron deficiency anemia. This study shows iron therapy is effective in improving BHS prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
- Neurology
Background:
- Breath holding spells (BHS) are common in children.
- Iron deficiency anemia is a potential contributing factor to BHS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of iron treatment on the prognosis of breath holding spells.
- To evaluate the impact of iron supplementation on BHS frequency and characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of 91 children with BHS.
- Evaluation of hematological indices, including iron deficiency anemia.
- Treatment with iron (6 mg/kg/day) for three months in 63 patients with iron deficiency anemia.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in cyanotic spells observed in children treated with iron compared to untreated children (84.1% vs 21.4%).
- Iron deficiency anemia was prevalent in 63 out of 91 children.
- Febrile convulsions occurred in 10 children during follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Treatment of iron deficiency anemia with iron is effective in reducing the frequency of breath holding spells.
- Iron supplementation appears to improve the prognosis of BHS in affected children.
Abstract:
To evaluate the prognosis of breath holding spells (BHS) after iron treatment, 91 children (56 boys, 35 girls) aged between 6 months and 40 months (median, 17) were followed prospectively for a median of 45 months (range, 6-89). In 49 of the children, the frequency of BHS was less than 10 each month, in 22 it was 10-30 each month, and in 20 more than 30 each month. The spells were cyanotic in 60 children. All patients were evaluated initially and during follow up for haematological indices. Electroencephalographic and electrocardiographic abnormalities were also recorded. Sixty three patients were found to have iron deficiency anaemia and were treated with iron (6 mg/kg/day) for three months. Other patients were not given any treatment. After three months, there was a significant difference for correction of cyanotic spells between children who had been treated with iron and those who had not (84.1% v 21.4%). During further follow up, febrile convulsions occurred in 10 children (six were on iron treatment initially). It appears that treating iron deficiency anaemia is effective in reducing the frequency of BHS.