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Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery
06:09

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery

Published on: February 14, 2019

Temperamental traits of breath holding children: A case control study

A Subbarayan1, B Ganesan, Anbumani

  • 1Specialist Registrar in Psychiatry, Stratheden, Cupar, UK.

Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|September 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with breath holding spells (BHS) exhibit distinct temperamental traits, including lower frustration tolerance and higher emotional intensity. Identifying these traits early can help manage challenging behaviors in affected children.

Area of Science:

  • Child psychology
  • Pediatric neurology

Background:

  • Anecdotal evidence suggests a link between breath holding spells (BHS) and specific temperamental traits in children.
  • Children with BHS may display low frustration tolerance and adamant behavior, often triggered by vigorous crying.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess and compare temperamental traits in children with BHS versus a control group.
  • To identify specific temperamental differences that may predispose children to BHS.

Main Methods:

  • Temperamental traits of 30 children with BHS were evaluated using the 'Temperament measurement Schedule'.
  • The BHS group was compared to 30 age-, sex-, and socioeconomic status-matched normal children.
  • Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences were observed in threshold of responsiveness, mood, activity level, emotional intensity, distractibility, and rhythmicity between groups.
  • Children with BHS showed significantly higher sociability and energy levels compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Temperamental differences in children with BHS can influence their behavioral patterns.
  • Breath holding spells may serve as an indicator of difficult temperamental traits, enabling early intervention for behavioral management.
Abstract

Keywords:
Breath holding spellschildrentemperament

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