Erythrocytic hydrogen sulfide production is increased in children with vasovagal syncope.

OBJECTIVES:To explore the differences in erythrocyte hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production in children with vasovagal syncope (VVS). STUDY DESIGN:A total of 54 children including 27 with VVS, aged 6-16 years (mean age 11.3 ± 3.3 years), and 27 healthy children, aged 3-17 years (mean age 10.4 ± 1.8 years) were included in the study. Children with VVS had symptoms of dizziness, pallor, blurred vision, nausea, and some had syncope. Erythrocyte H2S production was measured by a sulphur-sensitive electrode. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of brachial artery was measured for each patient by vascular ultrasound. RESULTS:H2S production from erythrocytes was significantly increased in the children with VVS compared with controls (P < .01). The erythrocytic H2S production in the VVS-vasoinhibitory subgroup was obviously higher than that in VVS-cardioinhibitory (P < .05) and VVS-mixed inhibitory subgroups (P < .05). FMD in the VVS-vasoinhibitory subgroup was greater than that in the VVS-cardioinhibitory (P < .05) and the VVS-mixed subgroups (P < .05). The erythrocytic H2S production had a positive linear correlation with FMD in children with VVS (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS:Increased erythrocyte H2S production may be involved in the pathogenesis of VVS in children.