Hyperventilation syndrome in Chinese children.

Abstract

SUMMARYIn children the hyperventilation syndrome, though not rare, is a psychological condition which is seldom recognized. During the three-year period 1979 to 1981 five Chinese children, aged seven to 11¾ years, were admitted with this condition. Their clinical profile included, in addition to classical deep sighing respiration and carpopedal spasm, other protean manifestations—chest discomfort, nausea, paraesthesia, diaphoresis, giddiness, fainting spells and muscular twitching. On admission arterial blood gas studies showed acute respiratory alkalosis which returned to normal after the initial attack. The precipitating factors in three of the five children were related to school examinations—underlying anxiety of both children and parents and high parental expectation; over-protectiveness and other emotional stresses in school and at home also appeared to be important. Although all five children responded in the acute stage to reassurance and simple psychotherapy, with or without rebreathing into a pl...