Breath-Holding Spells

Breath-holding Spells
Breath-holding Spells

Overview

Some children have breath-holding spells. This is an involuntary stop in breathing that is not in the child’s control.

Cause

Babies as young as 2 months old and up to 2 years old can start having breath-holding spells. Some children have severe spells.

Children can have breath-holding spells when they are responding to:

  • Fear
  • Pain
  • Traumatic event
  • Being startled or confronted

Breath-holding spells are more common in children with:

  • Genetic conditions, such as Riley-Day syndrome or Rett syndrome
  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • A family history of breath-holding spells (parents may have had similar spells when they were children)

Symptoms

Breath-holding spells most often occur when a child becomes suddenly upset or surprised. The child makes a short gasp, exhales, and stops breathing. The child’s nervous system slows the heart rate or breathing for a short amount of time. Breath-holding spells are not thought to be a willful act of defiance, even though they often occur with temper tantrums.

Symptoms can include:

  • Blue or pale skin
  • Crying, then no breathing
  • Fainting or loss of alertness (unconsciousness)
  • Jerky movements (short, seizure-like movements)
  • Normal breathing starts again after a brief period of unconsciousness. The child’s color improves with the first breath. This may occur several times per day, or only on rare occasions.

Exams & Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child’s medical history and symptoms.

Blood tests may be done to check for an iron deficiency.

Other tests that may be done include:

  • ECG to check the heart
  • EEG to check for seizures

Treatment

No treatment is usually needed. But iron drops or pills may be given if the child has an iron deficiency.

Breath-holding can be a frightening experience for parents. If your child has been diagnosed with breath-holding spells, take the following steps:

  • During a spell, make sure your child is in a safe place where they will not fall or be hurt.
  • Place a cold cloth on your child’s forehead during a spell to help shorten the episode.
  • After the spell, try to be calm. Avoid giving too much attention to the child, as this can reinforce the behaviors that led to the spell.
  • Avoid situations that cause a child’s temper tantrums. This can help reduce the number of spells.
  • Ignore breath-holding spells that do not cause your child to faint. Ignore the spell in the same way you ignore temper tantrums.

Source

Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine