IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AS A CAUSE OF BREATH HOLDING SPELLS

Objective: To assess the efficiency of iron therapy in reducing the frequency of breath holding spells.Material and Methods: This was a prospective, interventional study conducted in the department of Pediatrics, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. A total of 50 patients between the ages of 6 months and 5 years with breath holding spells and mild to moderate iron deficiency anemia were studied. After giving them iron therapy for 8 weeks, they were assessed for the improvement in their anemia and its impact on the frequency of breath holding spells.Results: Fifty children with iron deficiency anemia and breath holding spells were studied prospectively. Thirty-one (62%) cases were males and 19 (38%) females. The mean age was 27 months (SD ±12.6). The mean baseline hemoglobin was 9.79gm/dl. After 4 weeks of iron therapy it was 10.54gm/dl and after 8 weeks it was 11.23gm/dl. There was a statistically significant rise in the hemoglobin level with 8 weeks of iron therapy (p<0.001). This rise in the hemoglobin level was associated with a statistically significant fall in the frequency of breath holding spells with 8 weeks of iron therapy (p<0.001).Conclusion: It appears that treating iron deficiency anemia is effective in reducing the frequency of breath holding spells.