About Breath-Holding Spells Many of us have heard stories about stubborn or willful toddlers who hold their breath until they turn blue in the face. These might sound like amusing terrible twos tales, but theyre not funny to the parents of these toddlers. Breath-holding spells can be terrifying for parents because kids hold their breath until they pass out. But these spells arent intentional — theyre an involuntary reflex, which means kids have no control over them. Although very disturbing to those who witness them, breath-holding spells arent harmful and pose no serious health risks. A spell typically lasts less than a minute before a child regains consciousness and resumes breathing normally. Breath-holding spells can happen in healthy children between 6 months and 6 years old, but are most common during the second year of life. They can be more common in kids with a family history of them. In most cases, breath-holding spells can be predicted and even prevented once triggers are identified. Kids usually outgrow them by age 5 or 6. Types of Breath-Holding Spells Breath-holding spells differ by cause and characteristics: Cyanotic breath-holding spells happen when a child stops breathing and turns blue in the face. These spells are often triggered by something that upsets the child, like being disciplined. Parents who have witnessed prior cyanotic spells know exactly when another one is about to occur because the childs face slowly turns a shade of blue, ranging from light blue to almost purple. Pallid breath-holding spells are less common and more unpredictable because they happen after a child has gotten a sudden fright or startle (like being surprised from behind). Unlike with cyanotic spells, kids turn very pale, almost white, during the spell. Both types of spells cause kids to stop breathing and lose consciousness for up to a minute. In the most extreme cases, kids have seizures. Having a seizure does not cause any long-term harm or put a child at risk of developing a seizure disorder.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 07:00:00 +0000
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