BREATH HOLDING SPELLS: DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND EFFICACY OF IRON SUPPLEMENTATION IN CHILDREN WITH BREATH HOLDING SPELLS AND ANEMIA ON REDUCTION IN FREQUENCY OF THESE SPELLS -

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic profile of children with breath holding spells and anemia and efficacy of iron supplementation on reduction in frequency of these spells. Study Design: Interventional, prospective hospital based. Place and Duration of Study: Department of paediatrics Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Kharian from Oct 2011 to Sep 2012. Material and Methods: A total number of 275 children aged between 6-60 months with iron deficiency anemia reporting in OPD were segregated for breath holding spells. Those with breath holding spells (BHS) were treated with oral iron polymaltose complex for three months. Then these children were assessed for improvement in their anemia by Hemoglobin (Hb%) estimation and its impact on reduction in the frequency of breath holding spells. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 16. Results: Total 45(16.4%) children out of 275 were included in study. Amongst these 30 (66.7%) had cyanotic, 12 (26.7%) pallid and 3(6.7%) mixed type of the breath holding spells. After three months of oral iron therapy, the Hb% raised from a mean 8.12g/dl (SD ± 1.41) to 12.31g/dl (SD ± 1.22). Out of 45 those have BHS, 29 (64.4%) showed a complete response, 11(24.4%) good, 3(6.7%) partial and 2 (4.4%) no response to oral iron supplementation in reduction of frequency of breath holding spells. Conclusion: We have concluded that if iron deficiency anemia is corrected in anemic children with BHS, then it has a significant effect in reducing the frequency of these spells.

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