A breath-holding spell is when your child holds his breath until he passes out. Breath-holding spells begin between the ages of 6Â months and 2 years. They occur only while the child is awake.
During a breath-holding spell:
An abnormal reflex allows 5% of normal children to hold their breath long enough to pass out. It is not deliberate. These spells can be triggered by frustration, a fall, or something frightening.
Holding the breath (when frustrated) and becoming bluish without passing out is such a common reaction in young infants that it is not considered abnormal.
Breath-holding spells usually occur from 1 or 2 times a day to 1 or 2 times a month. Children usually stop having breath-holding spells by the time they are 4 or 5Â years old.
Breath-holding spells are not dangerous, and they don't lead to epilepsy or brain damage.
These attacks are harmless and stop by themselves. Time the length of a few attacks, using a watch with a second hand.
During an attack, do not hold your child upright. Instead, he should lie flat. This position will increase blood flow to the brain and may prevent some of the muscle jerking. Put a cold wet washcloth on your child's forehead until he starts breathing again. Don't start resuscitation or call a rescue squad—it's not necessary. Also, don't put anything in your child's mouth because it could make him choke or vomit.
Give your child a brief hug and go about your business. A relaxed attitude is best. If you are frightened, don't let your child know it. If your child had a temper tantrum because he wanted his way, don't give in to him after the attack.
The main injury risk of a breath-holding spell is a head injury. If your child starts to have an attack while standing near a hard surface, go to him quickly and help lower him to the floor.
Most attacks from falling down or a sudden fright can't be prevented. Neither can most attacks that are triggered by anger. However, some children can be distracted from their breath-holding if you intervene before they become blue. Tell your child to come to you for a hug or to look at something interesting. Ask him if he wants a drink of juice or his favorite fluid.
If your child is having attacks every day, he probably has learned to trigger some of the attacks himself. This can happen when parents run to the child and pick him up every time he starts to cry, or when they give him his way as soon as the attack is over. Avoid these responses. Frequent attacks can also be caused by anemia. If your child has a poor iron intake (eats few meats), ask your healthcare provider to check your child for anemia.
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Caution: Call a rescue squad (911) if your child has a different kind of attack during which he stops breathing for more than 1 minute.
