What is the Breath Holding Spell? Know the Symptoms, Types, and How to Handle It

Illustration (Freepik/@jcomp)

YOGYAKARTA - Seeing a child suddenly hold his breath until his face turns blue can make parents panic. This condition is known as breath holding spell (BHS), which usually occurs when a child feels very angry, upset, shocked, or in pain. This emotional reaction makes the child hold his breath, even to the point of losing consciousness for a while. Then, is breath holding spell dangerous?

It is important for parents to understand what a breath holding spell is so that they do not panic immediately when facing it. With good understanding, parents can provide a calmer response and help children pass through this condition safely. Reported from Nemours Kids Health, the following will discuss some things you need to know about breath holding spells.

What is Breath holding spell?

Breath holding spell is a condition when a child holds his breath, usually after crying, angry, frustrated, shocked, or in pain. Sometimes the child holds his breath until he faints. This condition certainly makes parents panic, but it is generally not dangerous and usually lasts less than a minute.

Breath holding spells can occur in children aged 6 months to 6 years and are most common at 6-18 months. It is important to note that children do not hold their breath on purpose. They can't control when it happens.

Breath holding spells are divided into two types, namely cyanotic breath-holding spells and pallid breath-holding spells. If the child's face turns blue, it is called a cyanotic breath-holding spell. This condition usually occurs after the child cries very hard due to anger or frustration.

Meanwhile, the pallid breath-holding spell is characterized by the child's face turning pale. The child may cry or not at all before experiencing this attack. Usually happens when the child is startled or suddenly feels pain.

Both types of breath holding spells can make children faint for up to a minute. In the most extreme cases, children may have seizures. Having seizures does not cause long-term harm or put children at risk of having seizures.

Until now, it is not known what the exact cause of breath holding spells is. However, several factors are believed to play a role in triggering this condition. One of them, iron deficiency anemia. In some children, treatment of anemia can help reduce the number of episodes that occur.

What to Do When Your Child Has a Breath Holding Spell?

When a child has a breath-holding spell, the first thing to do is stay calm. Panicking will not help anything and will only make things worse.

Lay your child on a baby bed or floor, and keep it away from hard or sharp objects. If your child faints, try to stay calm and reassure yourself that your child is safe. Check your child's mouth to make sure his airway is not blocked by food or other objects. Stay close to the child until he comes to.

If the child does not breathe for more than a minute or his face remains blue, immediately seek medical help. After the child recovers, give him a sense of security and assure him that everything is fine and it is not his fault.

If this is the first time your child has experienced a breath holding spell, immediately get medical treatment. Although this condition is generally not dangerous, it is good to have your child checked.

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