BREATH HOLDING SPELLS :DON'T PANIC

Breath holding spell

  Whenever the child get angry or gets hurt, cries loudly and after a long cry,holds his breath and becomes blue or pale .they may go unresponsive or may develop fit or convulsion.

Breathholding usually occur in kids between 6 months to 3 years .the spells are harmless and don’t pose any danger .but the spells are so frightening to the parents and care givers . 

The spells usually disappear by the age of 3 years

Breath holding behavior may be a form of attention seeking occurring in oversensitive and over demanding babies

Anxious and apprehensive parents are other reason for the child’s behavior  .

Its very  frightening for the parents during first episode of attack.

Consult with your pediatrician and confirm the diagnosis.

If it is a clear case of breath holding spells then no need to worry

Treatment :

       

Don’t panic 

          

If you give extra attention then baby will develop more episodes 

Pinch the baby if the episode prolongs

Iron supplementation can help to improve the condition

Generally the spells will reduce by 2 years and disappear completely by 3 years of age

How to differentiate from fits/convulsion:

     

Breath holding spells occur after emotional (anger, frustration) or painful stimulus (fall,hurt,injection)

Fits/convulsion can occur in sleep but never a breath holding spell

Heart rate is fast in fits/convulsion , slow in breath holding spells and sometimes heart may stop for few seconds and child turns pale or blue