Breath holding spells may occur in children who have a normal neurological exam and in children who meet age-appropriate developmental milestones, but normally breath-holding spells do not affect the subsequent neurological development of a child.
Iron deficiency anemia or iron deficiency alone is known to be associated with breath-holding spells [2, 19, 20, 27]. Correction of the iron deficiency anemia has resulted in improvement/resolution of breath-holding spells in a significant number of cases [19, 20].
Children with breath-holding spells do not have epilepsy. As breath-holding spells may look like epileptic seizures, the 2 are often confused. Breath-holding spells happen after your child has been frustrated, startled or hurt. Children with epilepsy have seizures without any of these things happening beforehand.
Breath- holding spells only occur when the child is awake and usually when the child is standing. Epileptic seizures may occur at any time during wakefulness or sleep and in any position. Pauses in breathing (apnoeas) only occur during sleep and usually in infants aged less than six months.
Breath-holding is not something a child does deliberately. It's usually triggered by a sudden shock or pain, or strong emotions like fear, upset or anger. There are 2 types of breath-holding: blue breath-holding spells – this is the most common type of breath-holding and happens when a child's breathing pattern changes.
There are no drugs or other treatments for these spells. Some studies suggest that anemia, or low levels of red blood cells, may be a culprit and that iron supplements may help. But more research is needed. The best thing to do is let your child lie on their side while they're out.
Many young children hold their breath when upset, turn blue, but don't pass out. This is common and normal. Frequent spells can happen in children who have anemia (low red blood count). This can happen if your child doesn't eat enough foods with iron.
Researchers have sequestered the potentially fatal breath holding episodes associated with the autistic-spectrum disorder Rett syndrome. A group of researchers at the University of Bristol have sequestered the potentially fatal breath holding episodes associated with the autistic-spectrum disorder Rett syndrome.
What do if your child experiences a breath-holding spell? If this is the first time your child has experienced one of these spells, contact your primary care provider. There may be a correlation of breath-holding spells with iron-deficiency anemia, so your child's primary care provider may check the blood count.
Breath holding spells were once considered to be attention-seeking behavior, but studies showed that these episodes are not intentional and are a result of an involuntary reflex. [3] Children who voluntarily hold their breath do not lose consciousness and return to normal breathing after they get what they want.
Doctors can usually diagnose breath-holding spells based on what happens during a spell. The doctor will examine your child and ask you to describe the spells. It may help for you to keep a record of what happens during each spell.
Child may gasp or cry briefly then becomes quiet and pale and loses consciousness. More severe spells may progress to clonic jerking and incontinence. Serious complications of breath holding spells are rare. However, breath holding spells associated with asystole have been reported to cause sudden death [10].
There are two types of breath-holding spells: A cyanotic spell is caused by a change in the child's usual breathing pattern, usually in response to feeling angry or frustrated. It's the most common type. A pallid spell is caused by a slowing of the child's heart rate, usually in response to pain.
Breath-holding spells usually are triggered by physically painful or emotionally upsetting events. Typical symptoms include paleness, stoppage of breathing, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Despite the dramatic nature of the symptoms, the spells are not dangerous.
Most children who have breath-holding spells will have their first spell before they are 18 months old, and most children grow out of breath holding by the time they are six years old.
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)
If a baby is breathing stale air and not getting enough oxygen, the brain usually triggers the baby to wake up and cry to get more oxygen.
Brain damage at birth from lack of oxygen puts babies at a greater risk of developing epilepsy, autism, dyspraxia, and cerebral palsy. Families may recover from the losses endured by them and their babies because of negligent medical professionals.
You know when your child is not OK, even if their school has not picked up on the signs. All children are different, but if they change character when they go from school to home, or go into meltdown, or appear exhausted, it might be a sign that they are masking in public.
Lay your child on their side and watch over them until the spell ends. Don't put anything in your child's mouth, not even your fingers to clear the airway. If your child starts having jerky movements, you can hold their head, arms or legs to prevent injury or move away items that could hurt them.
When we're eagerly awaiting something, we hold our breath. People also hold their breath when they're stressed, anxious, excited, upset, frustrated… there are a lot of times when we inadvertently hold our breath without even realizing it.
Sudden breath-holding episodes during sleep in young children are potentially related to sudden infant death syndrome and other life-threatening events. Additionally, these episodes can negatively affect child's growth and development.
Breath-holding spells usually are triggered by physically painful or emotionally upsetting events. Typical symptoms include paleness, stoppage of breathing, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Despite the dramatic nature of the symptoms, the spells are not dangerous.
How long can the brain go without oxygen before serious damage occurs? After five to ten minutes of not breathing, you are likely to develop serious and possibly irreversible brain damage. The one exception is when a younger person stops breathing and also becomes very cold at the same time.