Efficacy of Kan-baku-taiso-to (TJ-72) on Breath-Holding Spells in Childern

Abstract

When Kan-baku-taiso-to (TJ-72) (0.1-0.25 g/kg/day) was given to 12 children with breath-holding spells (BHS) of the cyanotic type, the attacks were lessened starting in the second week of administration. There were no side effects even when administration was continued for more than one year. We think that the drug should be given primarily for BHS when the frequency of severe attacks is high and also to patients who did not respond to other medication.

Piracetam in Severe Breath Holding Spells

“…Therefore, attempts have been made to find out an effective remedy for the prevention of these spells. Several therapies ranging from Chinese herbal medicine to cardiac pacing have been tried in these children and with some success [12,13]. Others have used antiepileptics and atropine with variable results [14,15].…”

Kambakutaisoto Treatment for Children With Night Crying and Arousal Parasomnias Developed During Prolonged Hospitalization for Hematological and Oncological Diseases

“…22,23 Kambakutaisoto successfully treated 12 children with breath-holding spells without adverse effects despite prolonged administration. 13 The precise mechanism underlying these effects is not fully understood; however, an impairment in the regulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine activity is suspected in patients with sleepwalking, causing transient increase in the excitability of serotonergic neurons. 24 Serotonergic neurons are regulated by γ-aminobutyric acidergic and noradrenergic neurons, providing a basis for benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of NREM-related parasomnias.…”

“…Kambakutaisoto is a formula derived from traditional Japanese Kampo medicine. 13,14 Kambakutaisoto is a decoction of Tritici Fructus (the dried fruit of wheat), Glycyrrhizae Radix (the dried root and stolon of Chinese licorice), and Zizyphi Fructus (the dried fruit of jujube). This formula was originally developed to treat hysteria.…”

Efficacy of treatment with belladonna in children with severe pallid breath-holding spells

“…Over time, doctors have used different strategies, with a wide spectrum of possibilities ranging from Chinese herbal medicine to cardiac pacing. 10,17 In the past, there have been literature reports on the efficacy of anti-epilectic and neuroleptic drugs. 9,18 More recently, small cohorts or case reports have highlighted the efficacy of glycopyrrolate and theophilline therapy in these cases.…”