Breath-Holding Spells and Prenatal Maternal Factors: Insights From a Retrospective Study

Abstract

Breath-holding spells (BHSs) are abrupt episodes of apnea in children, often provoked by emotional or physical triggers. To investigate prenatal factors contributing to BHS etiology, we conducted a retrospective case-control study involving 52 mother-child dyads from a tertiary high-risk pregnancy clinic, divided into BHS and control groups. Maternal stress and self-perception during pregnancy were assessed using the Pregnancy Experience Scale and the Self-Perception of Pregnancy Scale. Parenting styles were evaluated through a validated questionnaire. At 3 months postpartum, structured interviews were used to determine BHS status, and scale scores were compared between the groups. No significant differences were observed in negative prenatal experiences, parenting styles, or maternal self-perception. These results suggest that pregnancy-related stress factors and self-view may not directly influence BHS development. Further studies are needed to explore specific parental behaviors, environmental factors, and genetic predispositions to elucidate BHS pathogenesis and guide preventive and early intervention strategies.