Breath holding spells (BHS) are a common issue in children, particularly infants, and can be distressing for parents. They are similar to sleep apnea, where a person stops breathing for a few seconds before starting again. BHS is not associated with long-term neurological or health issues, and there is no increased risk of epileptic seizures associated with breath-holding spells.
Breath-holding spells are rare before 6 months of age, peak at 2 years, and commonly abate by 5 years of age. Parents can care for their child at home during and after a spell, as they will start breathing again on their own. Breath-holding spells usually occur when children are startled by an intense emotional trigger, such as pain, fright, or anger. Symptoms include paleness, stoppage of breathing, and a decrease in blood and oxygen flow to the brain.
Breath-holding spells are harmless, as normal breathing always returns on its own. If a young child reacts to sudden pain or upset by not breathing, turning blue or pale, and then fainting, they may have just had a breath-holding spell. It is important to note that breath-holding spells are not harmful and do not pose any serious risks to the child’s health.
In summary, breath-holding spells are a common nonepileptic paroxysmal disorder of infancy that can be distressing for parents and children. Parents should be aware of the symptoms and take steps to prevent their child from experiencing a breath-holding spell.
📹 Breath holding Spells – First with Kids – UVM Children’s Hospital
Breath holding is a fairly common behavior in most toddlers. About five percent of healthy, breath-holding toddlers will get so …
What are the side effects of holding your breath?
Holding your breath for a minute or two is generally safe for most people, but prolonged holding can lead to decreased oxygen flow to the brain, causing fainting, seizures, and brain damage. Oxygen deficiency can also affect the heart’s rhythm, kidneys, and liver. The brain, with trillion neurons, is an energy-dependent organ. When we hold our breath, carbon dioxide accumulated in our blood is soluble and crosses the blood-brain barrier.
The brain’s respiratory control is sensitive to pH, and when it senses a change in pH due to increased carbon dioxide, it increases our respiratory drive to restore the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide.
If this protective mechanism is disrupted, people can faint, have seizures, or suffer brain injury. Our bodies naturally resist holding our breath, and the brain constantly monitors and makes adjustments to prevent catastrophic situations.
What are the complications of breath-holding spells?
Breath-holding spells are brief periods when young children stop breathing for up to 1 minute, often causing them to lose consciousness. These spells can cause fainting, twitching muscles, a stiff body, or a seizure. In cyanotic spells, the child may breathe too fast or too hard, change in skin color, or cry. These spells are a reflex and not intentional. Cyanotic spells are caused by changes in the child’s breathing pattern, usually in response to anger or frustration. Pallid spells slow the heart rate, usually in response to pain. Some children may have both types of spells at once.
How does breath-holding affect respiration?
Holding your breath causes oxygen levels to decrease, leading to a state called hypoxia, where carbon dioxide levels increase due to the body’s elimination of carbon dioxide through breathing. This can cause abnormal cell behavior and affect all organs. Over time, holding your breath can cause irregular heartbeats, damage to kidneys and liver, and cause carbon dioxide buildup to cross the blood-brain barrier, causing the brain to increase the desire to inhale and exhale. Failure to breathe can result in seizures, fainting, or brain injury.
Can holding your breath cause breathing problems?
Human underwater breath-hold diving, a popular summer outdoor physical activity, is a fascinating example of applied environmental physiology. It involves various individuals, including elite breath-hold divers, underwater hockey and rugby players, synchronized and sprint swimmers, spear fishermen, sponge harvesters, and recreational swimmers. However, there is limited data on the influence of regular breath holding on potential health risks such as cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases.
A literature search of the PubMed electronic search engine using keywords “breath-hold diving” and “apnoea diving” revealed that deep breath-hold dives can be dangerous and cause serious acute health problems, such as lungs collapse, barotrauma, pulmonary oedema, alveolar haemorrhage, cardiac arrest, blackouts, nitrogen narcosis, decompression sickness, and death. Even shallow apnoea dives can present significant health risks. Long-term health risks of frequent maximal breath holds are currently unknown but should be addressed in future research.
Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms related to the development or worsening of clinical disorders in recreational or competitive breath holding and to determine potential changes in training/competition regimens to prevent adverse events.
Does holding breath strengthen the lungs?
Patients can gradually increase their breath holding time, with those with a 25-second hold time considered safe. COVID-19 significantly affects the lungs, leading to breathlessness or oxygen level drops. Symptoms in the first wave include fever and cough, followed by sore throat, runny nose, eye redness, headache, body pain, rashes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients experience fever after three-four days and undergo tests, which can take time. By the time COVID-19 is confirmed, the infection is almost five to six days old, and in some cases, lungs are already affected.
What happens if you hold your breath and don’t let go?
Holding your breath for too long can lead to various side effects, such as low heart rate, CO₂ buildup, nitrogen narcosis, decompression sickness, loss of consciousness, pulmonary edema, alveolar hemorrhage, lung injury, cardiac arrest, buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and brain damage from a protein called S100B. In deep-sea divers, this can cause a low heart rate, CO₂ buildup, nitrogen narcosis, decompression sickness, loss of consciousness, pulmonary edema, alveolar hemorrhage, lung injury, cardiac arrest, and damage to the brain.
When you black out, your body automatically starts breathing again, and your lungs will gasp for air, even if you’re unconscious. If underwater, this gasp for air may allow in a large volume of water. It’s crucial to be aware of these potential risks when diving.
When should I be concerned about a holding breath spell?
If your child experiences a breath-holding spell, it is crucial to contact your primary care provider as it may be linked to iron-deficiency anemia. They should check the blood count and rule out other serious conditions that may mimic breath-holding spells. Lay the child flat to allow blood to return to the brain. Avoid shaking or slapping the child, and ensure their mouth is clear. Blowing hard on the child’s face can help prevent or end an episode.
Placing a cold, wet cloth on the child’s face can sometimes interrupt or shorten an episode. If the child doesn’t respond after two minutes, call 911 as it may not be a breath-holding spell. The parent’s best response is to remain calm, recognize the child isn’t doing it on purpose, and offer reassurance. Discuss the problem with the child’s primary care provider.
What is the prognosis for breath-holding spells?
Breath-holding spells are a common occurrence in children with no underlying health issues, typically manifesting in the first year of life and reaching their peak prevalence at age two. The condition typically dissipates by the age of four in 50 children and by the age of eight in 83, with a small percentage of cases continuing into adulthood.
What happens to your lungs when you hold your breath too long?
Nathan Shank, who had been underwater for an extended period of time, experienced a respiratory arrest and subsequently entered a coma. Fortunately, this resulted in a positive outcome.
Is 2 minute breath-hold good?
Holding your breath, also known as voluntary apnea, is a challenging exercise that can lead to dangerous conditions. When you hold your breath, your blood oxygen level drops, causing your brain and organs to lack the necessary oxygen for functioning. This can result in confusion, changes in decisions, and loss of coordination. Carbon dioxide levels also increase when you hold your breath, as your body expels carbon dioxide from your body when you exhale. This buildup can cause you to feel the urge to exhale and inhale more oxygenated air.
A study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that when divers deliberately hold their breath or exercise before entering the water, their carbon dioxide levels can also increase, potentially putting the diver at risk of unconsciousness. Prolonged breathing compromises the integrity of the central nervous system and can have cumulative effects that lead to later injury. Breath-holding people can lose coordination, as they have higher blood lactate levels, which can lead to cramping, soreness, and loss of coordination.
Blood sugar levels can also spike when you hold your breath for too long, possibly due to the inability of the body to secrete insulin during this time. Heart rate slows down when you hold your breath, as the body is starved of oxygen. Studies show that holding your breath for about 30 seconds can lead to a lower heart rate and decreased cardiac output. Blood pressure rises when you hold your breath, as your heart rate drops and your blood pressure increases due to the constriction of blood vessels. High blood pressure usually occurs after holding your breath for three minutes, once your blood oxygen level begins to drop.
Is holding breath good for the lungs?
Patients can gradually increase their breath holding time, with those with a 25-second hold time considered safe. COVID-19 significantly affects the lungs, leading to breathlessness or oxygen level drops. Symptoms in the first wave include fever and cough, followed by sore throat, runny nose, eye redness, headache, body pain, rashes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients experience fever after three-four days and undergo tests, which can take time. By the time COVID-19 is confirmed, the infection is almost five to six days old, and in some cases, lungs are already affected.
📹 Breath Holding Spell Emergency
In this video we present a patient with breath holding spells that resulted in asystole. Breath holding spells are reviewed and …
Could it be related to Ondine’s Curse? I thought it can only happen at night during sleep but just checked AI and it said, “While the condition is more severe during sleep, individuals with Ondine’s Curse may experience symptoms even when awake, highlighting the complexity and challenges associated with this disorder.” It’s a congenital disorder.
I’m so glad to see this on here. People were posting about the other day and asking about it, and even the pediatricians were making it seem like it was no big deal and just something toddlers did to get their way when they were crying. Now I know that I should at least investigate this when I become a doctor so that I can make sure the patient is safe.
My son is a week shy of being 2. Last Tuesday he had this spell and he got really red and then got really pale, went stiff and I really can’t remember what happened to his eyes but I fo remember looking at him trying to get him to breath and he looked like he seen a ghost. Lasted for what seems like forever but it didn’t last long. First time occurrence so we went to the ER and they didn’t do any tests just told us what happened.
Omg!! That was me when I was a baby!!! I did the same thing until 3. My family has made fun of me my whole life because I did this. I’m 42 years old and my family still makes fun of me! My family thought I was a spoiled rotten child an impossible baby. My mom thought she would give me up for adoption cuz she hated it! Thank you for making this article!!! I’m going to show my family this article! I’m crying right now cuz now I know what I had and now I can make my family stop making fun of me! Im crying soo much right now! Even my pediatrician said to my mom I was a useless baby who will amount to nothing and will be a constant problem child who will be in and out of hospitals. Lol I wish I could go back in time and show him. I am a college graduate and never ever spent more than 8 hours in my whole life in a hospital. While my mom dad and siblings have been in hospitals like crazy for different reasons.
My son started this last weekend. He cried, held his breath and fell to the ground, stiffening and shaking. Eyes rolled into the back of his head and he seems tired after. He actually just did it again today. I took his jacket off because it is hot and he got made started crying (but not very long this time) and I picked him up immediately because I didn’t want him to hold his breath long… he was breathing normal again but when I picked him up he was completely limp, pale and eyes rolled into his head again. Then again seemed weird after words. I called his pediatrician and the nurse said breath holding spells aren’t that uncommon but are really scary. I have a virtual appointment soon. He use to have low iron, but 2 months ago his iron was normal again.
I had these same events as an adult (asystole, bradycardia, hypotension with LOC) for 15 years before I was diagnosed. In 2013, I knew episode was coming, called 911, LOC for 2 hrs, at 5bpm in ambulance and into ER. Enabled diagnosis “malignant VVS.” I have dependable trigger: vomiting. Used to also be intense pain (eg. Sprained ankle). I called 911 when I felt vomiting coming due to severe vertigo, now have pacemaker. Have had 1 episode since: hypotension but constant heart rate keeps me from having LOC. Knowing how these episodes feel, my heart goes out to these kids.
I had breath holding spells from 3 months old to 5 years old. Multiple times my heart stopped and my dad had to start immediate resuscitation. The last time it happened I was in kindergarten but luckily my teacher knew exactly what to do. I was actually never properly diagnosed because no doctor could figure out what was wrong with me…
This sounds identical to what our son went through and at the same age. He was diagnosed at 25 months of age with Chiari Malformation with cerebullar tonsils were on C4! He almost died. He was a perfectly normal newborn, infant, until the breathing episodes began. Pediatricians brushed it off, but eventually saw how much he was declining. The cellebullar tonsils were squeezing his brain stem and stopping his breathing and heart beat. Please seek a detailed brain/cervical sedated MRI!
My son had this, first time it happened was Christmas Eve, he was 8 months old to the day. Most terrifying moment of my life. Happened 8 more times until he was 2 1/2 and then never happened again. Was in the ER every time, saw a million doctors, before they finally told me breath holding. Funny thing is, my daughter was born premature and had Brady cardia and was in the nicu for 22 days, and was fine. My son was born full term, healthy, and this happened to him. It’s terrifying. They go blue, eyes roll back, get clammy.
Common fainting spells, cardiac arrytmia and Young age of patient. Im thinking something genetic (Long shot, it might be benign and improve with age as Dr. Mellick points out. But given the history I find it concerning. Long QT syndrome? When is it wise to think about other differentials? /2nd year med student
My friend has vasovagal syncope. I went with her when I was a teenager to get her lip peirced and she had an episode. Back then before I became a nurse I did not know that you could go stiff and have movements during a syncopal event. I thought it just looked like you were sleeping. With that being said when I saw my friends eyeballs bouncing all over and she began to convulse I began to cry. I ran out and in less than 15 seconds she was shouting “wait for me” and laughing because I cried. Very interesting about the sinus arrythmia and this childs bradycardia though. Im currently taking an arrhythmia course.
Mi nietecito acaba de presentar un episodio así el pasado 23 de octubre 2019 mi hija en Italia y yo en EU cómo creen que me sentí ?? Y yo con 6 hijos y 5 hermanos y cómo 30 sobrinos y ellos con hijos y nunca a mis 60 años de edad había escuchado algo así!🤔😱y lo más doloroso aún es que a los 6 días presenta el segundo episodio y ni los paramédicos ni en la emergencia le comentaron referente a “breath holding spells ” 🤷♀️ hasta que mi hija buscó y encontró esto e inmediatamente hizo cita con el pediatra la cual fue la que mencionó pudiera ser este diagnóstico y ahora en espera del neurólogo para saber con certeza pero hemos antes encontrado estos articles que nos dan más luz 💡 y aunque pudiera ser eso porque son exactamente esos síntomas seguimos creyendo en Dios el obrador de milagros que esto termine mucho antes de lo que me pueda predecir el médico 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙌🙌🙌 Pero Dios es Bello y Poderoso y Gran Soberano!🙏🏻🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 Esperamos en Él! Y gracias por este article tan importante y veraz!🤷♀️👍👌👌👌👌🙌
Very informative article. Thanks! This really caught my attention. I work as a FF/Paramedic and responded to a ~5 y/o cardiac arrest that had recently been having breath holding spells. She had been very recently been evaluated at a reputable children’s hospital in Las Vegas with no definitive diagnosis. The (quick) history I was able to obtain from the mother sounded exactly like BHS, which I had no idea was thing. Unfortunately, there was no good outcome for the child, but your article has at least expanding my knowledge and awareness. Again, thank you.