Dergiler / Anatolian Current Medical Journal / 2026 / Volume: 8 Issue: 6

Iron status and vitamin B12 levels in children with breath-holding spells: a case-control study

Ece Gültekin(BIRUNI UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)0000-0002-1335-6933
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Yayın Tarihi
2026-10-25
DOI
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Conclusion: Reduced iron stores and lower vitamin B12 levels were independently associated with breath-holding spells, suggesting that assessment of both may be clinically relevant.

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Amaç & Hipotez:Aims: Breath-holding spells are common non-epileptic paroxysmal events in early childhood and have been associated with iron deficiency.
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Temel Bulgular & Veri:This study compared hematological, iron-related, and vitamin parameters between children with breath-holding spells and healthy controls and evaluated the independent associations of ferritin and vitamin B12 levels with breath-holding spells.
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Sonuç & Katkı:Conclusion: Reduced iron stores and lower vitamin B12 levels were independently associated with breath-holding spells, suggesting that assessment of both may be clinically relevant.
🔬Tür:Research Article
📍Kapsam:2025 Verileri
⚙️Değişkenler:Breath holding · ferritins · iron deficiencies

Abstract

Aims: Breath-holding spells are common non-epileptic paroxysmal events in early childhood and have been associated with iron deficiency. This study compared hematological, iron-related, and vitamin parameters between children with breath-holding spells and healthy controls and evaluated the independent associations of ferritin and vitamin B12 levels with breath-holding spells. Methods: This single-center case-control study included 32 children with breath-holding spells and 32 age-comparable controls evaluated at Biruni University Hospital between January 2025 and June 2026. Demographic, clinical, hematological, iron-related, and vitamin parameters were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was performed. Results: The groups were comparable in age, gender, and body weight. Family history of breath-holding spells was more frequent in the patient group. Children with breath-holding spells had significantly lower hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, and vitamin B12 levels and higher red cell distribution width and total iron-binding capacity. Iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, and vitamin B12 deficiency were also more frequent. Higher ferritin (adjusted OR per 5-ng/ml increase: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60-0.96; p=0.022) and vitamin B12 levels (adjusted OR per 50-pg/ml increase: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67-0.98; p=0.031) were independently associated with lower odds of breath-holding spells. Conclusion: Reduced iron stores and lower vitamin B12 levels were independently associated with breath-holding spells, suggesting that assessment of both may be clinically relevant.

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Bu Makaleye Atıf Yap

Gültekin, E., Karakurt, D. Y. (2026). Iron status and vitamin B12 levels in children with breath-holding spells: a case-control study. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, Volume: 8 Issue: 6. https://ajindex.com/articles/1667879

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