Can Spells That Hold One’S Breath Kill A Baby?

Breath-holding is a common issue in the pediatric population, affecting up to 5 of children. These spells involve a child holding their breath for up to 1 minute and may faint, often due to fear, upset, anger, or sudden shock or pain. They are usually harmless but can be frightening for parents, especially when they occur for the first time. Breath-holding spells can occur in families and start between 6 months and 2 years of age, going away by age 6. Many young children hold their breath when upset, and they are often called a spell.

Breath-holding spells occur in 0.1 to 5 of otherwise healthy children and usually begin in the first year of life. They peak at age 2 and disappear by age 4 in 50. While it can be scary for parents, it is generally harmless and children should grow out of it by the age of 4 or 5. The spells don’t hurt the children, and many outgrow them by age 4 but can continue until they are about 8. They are most common in 2-year-olds.

While breath-holding spells can be frightening for parents, they are generally not harmful. Children who experience these episodes typically recover quickly with no harm. Parents can care for their child at home during and after a spell. Most children outgrow breath-holding spells by the time they are 4 to 8 years old. Children who have a seizure during a breath-holding spell may experience a seizure.

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.

Can a baby die from sleep apnea?

Upper airway obstruction, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is often suggested as a cause of sudden infant death (SUID). This theory is supported by the fact that SUID occurs during sleep, and the severity of OSA increases with viral infections of the upper airway, which increase nasal resistance. A family history of OSA is also a risk factor for SUID. However, if OSA were a major cause of infant deaths, it would not explain the beneficial effect of back sleeping in reducing SUID/SIDS deaths.

The role of upper airway infection, laryngeal chemoreflex (LCR) reflexes, and brain cytokines in SUID/SIDS is also discussed. Prolonged apnea, associated with the normally airway-protective laryngeal chemoreflex (LCR) reflexes, might be causal in SIDS/SUID. The LCR combined responses are initiated when low chloride or acidic liquids stimulate intra-epithelial receptors in the inter-arytenoid space of the larynx, resulting in swallowing, apnea, vocal cord constriction, cough, and arousal from sleep.

The interaction between the LCR, infection, and circulating cytokines is particularly relevant to SIDS causal theories. Hypothetically, upper airway infection, particularly with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can result in a fatal course of events leading to SIDS/SUID. Infants between 2 and 4 months of age are at highest risk for SIDS and normally have transient “physiologic” anemia, which is more prominent in preterm infants.

How do I know if my baby is suffocating?

Choking in infants can be a shocking and alarming sign, as the baby’s skin turns bluish, indicating a lack of oxygen. This blue tint can be alarming to parents and caregivers, as it suggests that the baby is unable to breathe or has to make an effort to breathe. If the baby appears to be crying but doesn’t make any sound, it could be choking, as the airway is blocked and the baby cannot make noise.

Can breath-holding spells be fatal?

A 2-year-old girl with a severe form of cyanotic breath-holding spell, a benign and self-limiting disease in young children, was reported to have experienced it after radical resection of a cervicomedullary ganglioglioma. The girl was admitted to the hospital due to delayed and unstable gait and underwent a radical resection. Histology revealed a ganglioglioma, and postoperatively, the lower cranial nerves and cerebellum function deteriorated. Hemiparesis on the left became apparent, but she returned to the preoperative state in a few months.

Additionally, mild sleep apnea and severe cyanotic breath-holding spells occurred, which responded to medication but continued with hypoxemia, loss of consciousness, sweating, and opisthotonos. Five months after the operation, the patient returned home with a portable oxygen saturation monitor equipped with an alarm. This case highlights the importance of cyanotic breath-holding spells and sleep apnea during the early postoperative period.

Is it normal for a baby to pass out while crying?

Breath-holding spells are frightening episodes in infants where they cry for up to a minute, holding their breath to the point where they might lose consciousness. They are not harmful and pose no long-term risks for the infant. Many episodes are associated with inciting incidents, such as irritation, discipline, or anger. These spells are not intentional but result from an involuntary reflex and the child has no ability to control them.

A recent study from Turkey found that children with breath-holding spells and a matched control group had significantly prolonged interpeak latencies compared to the control group, suggesting that maturation delay in myelination of the brainstem could be the cause of breath-holding spells in children.

Will babies move their head if they can’t breathe?

It is postulated that infants who are unable to breathe or respond when rebreathing their exhaled air will not awaken. If the infant continues to rebreathe, it can suppress the need to breathe, leading to hypoxia and death. These infants die of SIDS without waking, thus making it a silent killer, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics Safe Sleep Task Force recommendations.

Can breath-holding spells cause brain damage?

Breath-holding spells, which affect up to 5 of all infants, are benign but can be frightening for children and caregivers. They occur in children with benign neurological findings and those meeting age-appropriate developmental milestones. These episodes usually follow an inciting event, such as discipline, anger, or irritability, followed by crying and breath-holding, resulting in loss of consciousness. Distracting the child and avoiding triggers can reduce these episodes.

Understanding the pathophysiology and differential diagnosis of breath-holding spells is essential to rule out other pathological conditions. This activity reviews the evaluation of breath-holding episodes and the interprofessional team’s role in managing this condition and educating parents.

How to get baby out of breath-holding spell?

To assist your child in overcoming a breath-holding spell, it is essential to remain calm, position your child on their side, refrain from placing any objects in their mouth, and avoid shaking them. Breath-holding spells are observed in infants and children during periods of crying, distress, or emotional distress, as well as in the aftermath of minor accidents. Such behavior is not intentional, even in instances where it may appear as though the child is holding their breath during an intense tantrum.

Are breath-holding spells linked to autism?

Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered a way to prevent breath holding episodes associated with Rett syndrome, a developmental disorder affecting around 1 in10, 000 young girls. The disorder, which includes repetitive hand movements, digestive and bowel problems, seizures, learning disability, and social withdrawal, is a debilitating disease. The researchers used a unique combination of drugs to find that the area of the brain that allows breathing to persist without interruption has reduced levels of a transmitter substance called aminobutyric acid. This could help prevent the potentially fatal breath holding episodes associated with Rett syndrome.

Is dying from sleep apnea rare?

Obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of sudden cardiac death, which occurs when a person’s heart stops or cannot support life. This is more common in individuals over 60, with severe apnea, or those with very low oxygen levels. Although death may occur due to a brief pause in breathing, it is more likely linked to shared risk factors like heart disease, high blood pressure, or irregular heart rhythms. Understanding the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea can help individuals contact their doctor and receive evaluation.

Treatments can improve nighttime oxygen levels, lower the risk of chronic disease, and reduce the chances of serious complications. Signs of sleep apnea include disruptions in breathing during sleep, often noticed by a bed partner, frequent loud snoring, or gasping for air.

Can sleep apnea harm baby?

Sleep apnea, a condition affecting the lungs, can significantly impact the development of a baby if left untreated. This can lead to reduced blood sugar levels and increased carbon dioxide levels, resulting in low birth weight and preterm delivery. Sleep apnea symptoms can also cause complications during the birthing process, such as prolonged labor or unplanned Cesarean sections. Untreated sleep apnea can also lead to higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and other weight issues in adulthood.

In the United States, about 10% of women suffer from sleep apnea during pregnancy, increasing to 26% by the third trimester. Treatment during pregnancy is crucial for ensuring healthy development and delivery for the baby.