Vitamin D Levels in Children Presenting with Breath-Holding Spells: An Example of A University Hospital

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the vitamin D levels in children who experience breath-holding spells (BHS) and to compare these levels with those of a healthy control group. The goal was to establish a connection between BHS and vitamin D levels. Method: The records of 98 patients, who presented to the Pediatric Neurology and Pediatric Cardiology polyclinics of Adıyaman University Training and Research Hospital between December 2019 and October 2022, were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-two patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. The study included forty-six patients with BHS whose laboratory results were assessed and a healthy control group of fifty-three individuals. Fe, serum iron binding capacity, ferritin, vitamin B12, and vitamin D levels were measured in all patients. Results: The study group comprised 46 patients (female/male ratio = 1.4), consisting of 27 girls (58.6%) and 19 boys (41.3%). Within our patient cohort, 39 individuals (84.8%) were diagnosed with cyanotic-type spells, three (6.5%) with pallid-type spells, and four (8.7%) with mixed-type spells. For patients experiencing BHS, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on parameters including complete blood count, iron levels, iron-binding capacity, ferritin levels, vitamin B12, and vitamin D levels. Although no significant correlation was identified with vitamin D levels in this study, noteworthy connections were established with lower hemoglobin levels, decreased vitamin B12 levels, and reduced ferritin levels. Moreover, upon exclusion of patients exhibiting low vitamin B12 values from the analysis, a statistically significant relationship emerged between iron deficiency anemia and the occurrence of BHS (p