Increased oxidant status in children with breath-holding spells

Breath-holding spells (BHS) are the most common form of non-epileptic paroxysmal events in infancy. The pathophysiology of BHS is not fully understood. Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) may be a factor contributing to breath-holding spells. Although numerous reports have shown that elevated oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases and neurological conditions, such as epileptic seizures, brain damage, and neurotrauma, there are no data regarding the role of oxidative stress in the development of BHS. This study aimed to investigate oxidative stress in children with BHS.

This case-control study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Harran University School of Medicine, Sanliurfa, in Turkey. Blood samples from 31 patients (14 females, 17 males) with BHS which were taken at least 24 h after the BHS attack, and a control group of 35 healthy individuals (13 females, 22 males) were used for the measurement of the plasma total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index, hemoglobin concentration, serum iron, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin levels.

The plasma total antioxidant capacity values were markedly lower and total oxidant status and oxidative stress index values in the BHS group were significantly higher than that in the controls (P ≤ 0.01).

Our data suggest that the value of oxidative stress was significantly higher in patients with BHS than in the controls. Conditions associated with increased oxidative stress such as IDA may be a risk factor for the development of BHS.