Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Child Has Breath Holding Spells. Holds His Breath Until He Goes Blue Then Grey. Stiffens, Jerks, Eyes Roll. A Min To Come Back. Suggestions?

hi. My 16 month old son has breath holding spells and has done so for a year. He holds his breath until he goes blue then grey. His limbs stiffen and jerk violently; eyes roll back and he shakes. Then passes out and starts breathing again in under a minute. He is slow to come around. Takes another minute for normal breathing to return. He is usally very floppy and sleepy after a spell.This usually occurs 1-5 times a day. It takes very little to trigger it
Thu, 11 Jul 2013
Report Abuse
Pediatrician 's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

Instead of calling it breath holding attacks I would first like to exclude other causes giving similar symptoms. I suggest that you consult your doctor and get the following investigations done:
1. A complete physical examination.
2. Biochemical profile.
3. EEG.
4. Other examinations that the doctor deems proper.
If it is a form of epilepsy then suitable medication shall control the attacks.

I hope I have answered your query to your satisfaction.

Wishing your son an early recovery.

Regards,

Rajiv K Khandelwal
http://goo.gl/SuCjl
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Pediatrician Dr. Emmette Clark's  Response
Breath holding spells are not an unusual problem in toddlers but I know how scary they are for parents. The good news is that they are harmless and that they go away by 4-5 years of age at the latest, usually before then. The bad news is that there is nothing you can do to stop them but I do recommend that you have his doctor do a good exam on him to be sure that his heart is normal and he is otherwise healthy.
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Pediatrician Dr. E Venkata Ramana's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic.

Breath holding spells are common problem in pediatric age group from 6 months of age to 6 years and is most common around 2 years of age.

Most of the children outgrow this problem by 6 years of age.

The underlying conditions like iron deficiency anemia, arrhythmia, and seizures to be ruled out by pediatric consultation.

Triggering factors should be avoided.

Keep surroundings safe while child having these spells.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards.

I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful


Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Arrhythmia


Loading Online Doctors....
Child Has Breath Holding Spells. Holds His Breath Until He Goes Blue Then Grey. Stiffens, Jerks, Eyes Roll. A Min To Come Back. Suggestions?

Hi, Thank you for your query. Instead of calling it breath holding attacks I would first like to exclude other causes giving similar symptoms. I suggest that you consult your doctor and get the following investigations done: 1. A complete physical examination. 2. Biochemical profile. 3. EEG. 4. Other examinations that the doctor deems proper. If it is a form of epilepsy then suitable medication shall control the attacks. I hope I have answered your query to your satisfaction. Wishing your son an early recovery. Regards, Rajiv K Khandelwal http://goo.gl/SuCjl