Breath Holding Spell

Aka: Breath Holding Spell, Breath-Holding Spell

II. Characteristics

  1. Transient episodes of breath holding
  2. Associated with child becoming limp and unresponsive
  3. Seizure-type activity may occur

III. Type

  1. Cyanotic Breath Holding Spell (most common)
  2. Pallid Breath Holding Spell

IV. Diagnostics

  1. Electroencephalogram (EEG) normal

V. Differential Diagnosis

  1. See Pediatric Spells

VI. Evaluation

  1. Thorough history and examination
  2. Rule-out other Pediatric Spell
  3. Consider checking for Iron Deficiency Anemia
    1. Kolkiran (2005) Acta Paediatr 94:1227-31 [PubMed]

VII. Management

  1. No intervention is necessary
    1. In fact, interventions may reinforce behavior
  2. Position child in safe place (e.g. bed)
  3. Do not hold or play until completely recovers

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

These images are a random sampling from a Bing search on the term "Breath Holding Spell." Click on the image (or right click) to open the source website in a new browser window. Search Bing for all related images

Related Studies

Ontology: Breath-holding spell (C0476287)

Concepts Sign or Symptom (T184)
ICD10 R06.89
SnomedCT 207107001, 158418002
English [D]Breath-holding spell (context-dependent category), [D]Breath-holding spell, BHS, BREATH-HOLDING SPELLS, Breath-holding spell, Breath holding spells, Breath-holding (spells), breath holding spell, breath holding spells, holding breath spells, [D]Breath-holding spell (situation), Breath-holding spells
Dutch driftbuien
French Crises de rétention respiratoire
German Episoden des Atemanhaltens
Italian Attacchi di apnea
Portuguese Surtos de retenção da respiração
Spanish Episodios de apnea, [D]espasmo del sollozo (categoría dependiente del contexto), [D]espasmo del sollozo (situación), [D]espasmo del sollozo
Japanese 息どめ発作, ｲｷﾄﾞﾒﾎｯｻ
Czech Záchvat se zadržením dechu
Hungarian Apnoes időszakok
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Related Topics in Pediatrics

2021 Family Practice Notebook, LLC. Terms | Privacy (EHS) | About | Site Map | Blog

Footer Site Logo