What is breath holding syndrome?

A breath-holding spell is an episode in which the child involuntarily stops breathing and loses consciousness for a short period immediately after a frightening or emotionally upsetting event or a painful experience. Breath-holding spells usually are triggered by physically painful or emotionally upsetting events.

Are breath holding spells seizures?

Breath holding spells are a common and dramatic form of syncope and anoxic seizure in infancy. They are usually triggered by an emotional stimuli or minor trauma.

Why does my son hold his breath when he cries?

Often, a breath-holding attack starts with crying in reaction to pain, fear, or anger. If your child has a cyanotic spell, they’re probably upset or frustrated about something. May be they got into trouble or wants something they can’t have.

How do I stop my baby from holding his breath?

What to do when a child has a breath-holding episode

1. stay calm – it should pass in less than 1 minute.
2. lie the child on their side – do not pick them up.
3. stay with them until the episode ends.
4. make sure they cannot hit their head, arms or legs on anything.
5. reassure them and ensure they get plenty of rest afterwards.

Is it normal for babies to hold their breath?

Breath-holding is when a baby or child stops breathing for up to 1 minute and may faint. It can happen when a child is frightened, upset, angry, or has a sudden shock or pain. It’s usually harmless but can be scary for parents, particularly when it happens for the first time.

What kind of pain does reflex sympathetic dystrophy cause?

What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome? RSD is an older term used to describe one form of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Both RSD and CRPS are chronic conditions characterized by severe burning pain, most often affecting one of the extremities (arms, legs, hands, or feet).

Why does my child keep holding her breath?

It can happen when a child is frightened, upset, angry, or has a sudden shock or pain. It’s usually harmless but can be scary for parents, particularly when it happens for the first time. These could be symptoms of breath-holding, but could also be related to other, more serious conditions.

Is there a cure for reflex sympathetic dystrophy?

There’s no cure at this time, but research continues. Advances have resulted in some new and effective treatments. Some patients may experience a remission of symptoms.

What happens when a child does a breath holding spell?

Their skin turns bluish, especially around the lips, and they faint. They regain consciousness within a minute. Pallid breath-holding spells: In this type of breath-holding spell, often triggered by a sudden pain or fright, the child turns a pale, grayish color, becomes sweaty or clammy, and loses consciousness.