title: Treatment of cyanotic breath-holding spells with oral theophylline in a 10-year-old boy.
abstract: Cyanotic breath-holding spells are generally benign and resolve spontaneously by 4 to 5 years of age. Treatment with iron and other drugs has been employed in selected cases with very frequent and severe episodes. We describe a 10-year-old boy with recent-onset cyanotic breath-holding spells that were activity limiting. He was unable to participate in physical activities with his peers as any argument or emotional upset provoked these spells. Treatment with oral iron and piracetam was ineffective. However, treatment with oral theophylline produced dramatic amelioration of symptoms, and he was once again able to participate in play activities with his peers. We believe that general central nervous system stimulant and respirogenic effects of theophylline were instrumental in control of symptoms in our child.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Meenal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, Punjab, India gorayajs@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jatinder S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Goraya
mesh_terms: D062485:Breath Holding / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019233:Retreatment; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D013806:Theophylline
keywords: breath-holding spells; theophylline