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

Ece Gültekin; Didem Yayla Karakurt

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

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.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study protocol was approved by the Biruni University Ethics Committee (protocol number: 2024-BİAEK/21-129).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Infant and Child Health

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ece Gültekin ^*
0000-0002-1335-6933
Türkiye

Didem Yayla Karakurt
0000-0002-9417-8656
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 25, 2026

Submission Date

August 3, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 19, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 6

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA89WF58RP

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Gültekin, E., & Yayla Karakurt, D. (2026). Iron status and vitamin B12 levels in children with breath-holding spells: a case-control study. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(6), 1324-1330. https://izlik.org/JA89WF58RP

AMA

1.Gültekin E, Yayla Karakurt D. Iron status and vitamin B12 levels in children with breath-holding spells: a case-control study. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(6):1324-1330. https://izlik.org/JA89WF58RP

Chicago

Gültekin, Ece, and Didem Yayla Karakurt. 2026. “Iron Status and Vitamin B12 Levels in Children With Breath-Holding Spells: A Case-Control Study”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (6): 1324-30. https://izlik.org/JA89WF58RP.

EndNote

Gültekin E, Yayla Karakurt D (October 1, 2026) Iron status and vitamin B12 levels in children with breath-holding spells: a case-control study. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 6 1324–1330.

IEEE

[1]E. Gültekin and D. Yayla Karakurt, “Iron status and vitamin B12 levels in children with breath-holding spells: a case-control study”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 1324–1330, Oct. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA89WF58RP

ISNAD

Gültekin, Ece - Yayla Karakurt, Didem. “Iron Status and Vitamin B12 Levels in Children With Breath-Holding Spells: A Case-Control Study”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/6 (October 1, 2026): 1324-1330. https://izlik.org/JA89WF58RP.

JAMA

1.Gültekin E, Yayla Karakurt D. Iron status and vitamin B12 levels in children with breath-holding spells: a case-control study. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:1324–1330.

MLA

Gültekin, Ece, and Didem Yayla Karakurt. “Iron Status and Vitamin B12 Levels in Children With Breath-Holding Spells: A Case-Control Study”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 6, Oct. 2026, pp. 1324-30, https://izlik.org/JA89WF58RP.

Vancouver

1.Ece Gültekin, Didem Yayla Karakurt. Iron status and vitamin B12 levels in children with breath-holding spells: a case-control study. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 1;8(6):1324-30. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA89WF58RP