title: The evaluation of physiological and biochemical parameters and the autonomic nervous systems of children with breath-holding spells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological and biochemical parameters of children who are experiencing breath-holding spells (BHS) and to compare the function of their autonomic nervous systems with those of healthy children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 children (age range, 6 months-5 years) admitted for BHS were included in the study. The control group consisted of 30 age-matched and gender-matched healthy children. Each participant underwent a detailed physical examination as well as a laboratory evaluation. Echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), and electroencephalography were performed in the study group. The pilocarpine eye test was administered to each participant to detect autonomic dysfunction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences were found between the groups for mean age, gender, and anthropometric measurements, nor for the biochemical parameters, including hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, serum iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 levels (p = 0.05). Compared with the control group, the study group showed significantly abnormal hypersensitivity of pupils after instillation of pilocarpine into their eyes (p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autonomic dysfunction existed in the children with BHS, but no correlation was found between BHS and deficiencies of iron, vitamin D, or vitamin B12.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Bezmialem Vakif University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Huseyin
authors: H
authors: Arslan
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Bezmialem Vakif University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Emel
authors: E
authors: Torun
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Bezmialem Vakif University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Julide Canan U
authors: JC
authors: Akkan
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Bezmialem Vakif University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Serhat
authors: S
authors: Guler
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Bezmialem Vakif University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Suleyman
authors: S
authors: Bayraktar
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D062485:Breath Holding; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010862:Pilocarpine; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000032:analysis; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014168:Transferrin; D010862:Pilocarpine; D014807:Vitamin D; D014805:Vitamin B 12