Breath holding spells: an analysis of 50 cases.

Of 50 preschool children having breath holding spells (M:F::3:1) (BHS), 80.0% were less than 18 months of age (mean age 16 +/- 5 mo). More children came from a lower social class (70.0%) and a nuclear family (64.0%). Seventy four per cent cases had onset of BHS within 12 months of age (mean 9.6 mo) and the commonest frequency was 1 to 3 spells per week (56.0%). Cyanosis and tonic-clonic spasms were seen in 96.0 and 84.0% cases, respectively. Anger and frustration were the common triggering factors in 90.0% cases. No ante-, peri- and postnatal factors were significantly associated with the study group as compared to the control cases. The mean scores on Behaviour Screening Questionnaire measuring child's habits related to feeding, toilet and sleep were not significantly different in the study and control groups but the difference was significant (p less than 0.05) for behaviour measuring child's social habits. Parental attitudes, measured on Attitude Screening Questionnaires, were also not significantly different in the study and control groups. Mean hemoglobin and percentage transferrin saturation were significantly lower in the study group as compared to the controls (p less than 0.001). There was a significant decrease in severity and frequency of spells with oral iron therapy.