Relation between CBC Finding and BH attacks in children

ABSTRACT Breath holding (B.H) attacks is one of the most common problem in children that disturbs their parents. With respect to the presence of discrepancies between anemia and iron therapy in this condition, this study designed for evaluation the relation of C.B.C findings and B.H attacks. This analytical case-control study was done on 86 patients under 6 years old who referred to outpatient clinic of Shahid Beheshti Hospital and Private Clinic in Kashan in 1999. Patient group includes 43 child with B.H attacks and control group includes 43 child with other disease which had no effect on C.B.C findings. Demographic characteristics and C.B.C Findings recorded and evaluated by Chi-square and exact Fisher Tests. Study showed that rate of B.H attacks in boys was 65.1% and in girls 34.9%, most common rate was in age 1-2 years(58.1%). In 74.4% of patients B.H attacks was of cyanotic type and 46.5% of patients had at least one attack daily. C.B.C findings such as R.B.C number, M.C.V and M.C.H in compare with normal values, in patients was lower than control groups and this difference statistically was significant. Study showed that decreased number of R.B.C and magnitude of M.C.V and M.C.H in patient with B.H attack were more than control group. It is suggested that more analytical and experimental studies are needed for evaluation of iron compound effects on C.B.C findings and B.H attacks.