II. Characteristics
- Transient episodes of breath holding
- Associated with child becoming limp and unresponsive
- Seizure-type activity may occur
III. Type
- Cyanotic Breath Holding Spell (most common)
- Pallid Breath Holding Spell
IV. Diagnostics
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) normal
V. Differential Diagnosis
- See Pediatric Spells
VI. Evaluation
- Thorough history and examination
- Rule-out other Pediatric Spell
- Consider checking for Iron Deficiency Anemia
VII. Management
- No intervention is necessary
- In fact, interventions may reinforce behavior
- Position child in safe place (e.g. bed)
- Do not hold or play until completely recovers
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Related Studies
| 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 |
