Breath-holding attacks in kids: iron may help
21 May 2010
Iron supplements could be the unlikely solution to helping children overcome the common and dangerous problem of breath-holding attacks.
Sydney researchers found that daily supplementation with 5 mg/kg of iron substantially reduced the frequency and severity of attacks in children with a history of serious episodes (Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2010, Issue 5).
The mechanisms were unclear but could reflect a vicious cycle by which attacks deplete iron stores, leading to anaemia that predisposes to further attacks, said the authors, led by Dr Anthony Zehetner of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Around 5 per cent of healthy children are thought to have breath-holding attacks, which are usually triggered by an emotional upset and last from one to 3 minutes. Children typically experience sweating, pallor (paleness) and cyanosis (blue discolouration of the skin due to a lack of oxygen), but more serious cases can lead to loss of consciousness, bradycardia (slow heart rate) and asystole (cardiac arrest with no heartbeat).
The authors reviewed 2 trials, comprising 87 children given supplements or placebo (dummy medicine) for 16 weeks. Children taking supplements had a 76-times greater reduction in recurrence of attacks, while supplements were 53 times more likely to resolve a current attack.
The benefits were most marked in children with iron deficiency anaemia but were also evident in those with normal haemoglobin levels. (Haemoglobin is the iron-based pigment in red blood cells that gives them their colour and carries oxygen.)
Last Reviewed: 21 May 2010
- 1. Zehetner AA, Orr N, Buckmaster A, Williams K, Wheeler DM. Iron supplementation for breath-holding attacks in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD008132. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008132.pub2. Available at: http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab008132.html
