Presentation
Note, that the use of anti-epileptic medications will not address the symptoms of breath holding spells.[5] Breath holding spells occur when children hold their breath as they are crying excessively.[1] In pediatrics, it is a common presentation and is [aaemrsa.blogspot.com]
To the best our knowledge, this study presents the first data on QOL before and after PM implantation in this group of patients. [annalspc.com]
Abstract Pallid breath-holding (PBH) is a childhood condition that presents with recurrent syncope. Although typically benign, severe cases can lead to asystole and anoxic seizures. [pediatrics.aappublications.org]
Obstruction of airway by blood Obstruction of airway by food On examination - abdominal breathing On examination - adventitious sounds present On examination - chest expansion unequal On examination - chest PN hyperresonant On examination - chest PN [icd9data.com]
Consanguinity was present in 8.7% of the patients. [adc.bmj.com]
Entire Body System
Gastrointestinal
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Choking
Choking – while choking can be a life-threatening emergency, most episodes of choking aren’t. [keepkidshealthy.com]
Was she choking?! I flipped her over and hit her several times with my palm in between her shoulder blades (thank goodness I had remembered what to do in case a baby was choking). But still nothing. She was even more blue. [modernlymorgan.com]
What to do during a breath-holding spell Keep your child safe by rolling her onto her side and checking her mouth for food or objects she could choke on. [allparenting.com]
Also, don't put anything in your child's mouth because it could make him choke or vomit. Treatment after attacks of breath-holding Give your child a brief hug and go about your business. A relaxed attitude is best. [kpjampang.com]
Instead, if you are certain she hasn’t choked on something, place her in a safe spot (without giving in to whatever she held her breath to achieve), and ignore her behavior. [drgreene.com]
Psychiatrical
Neurologic
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Behavior Problem
Although the child is not having the breath-holding spells due to a behavior problem, the child can develop a behavior problem if the family starts to alter their customary discipline to try to keep the child from becoming upset and having breath-holding [childneurologyfoundation.org]
This can lead to behavior problems that may last even after she’s outgrown her breath-holding spells. [webmd.com]
In fact, children will grow out of behavioral problems such as BHS as they learn to express themselves in more sophisticated ways. [abcnews.go.com]
Because they're involuntary (not done on purpose), they're not a behavioral problem. A doctor can help parents understand what triggers a spell in their child, how to prevent future spells, and how to deal with them if they do happen. [kidshealth.org]
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Aphasia
Piracetam as an adjuvant to language therapy for aphasia: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study. Archives of Physical and Medical Rehabilitation 1997 ; 78: 245 – 250 Google Scholar Crossref Medline ISI 23. [doi.org]
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Unstable Gait
She was admitted to our hospital because of delayed and unstable gait. Since magnetic resonance imaging showed a cervicomedullary tumor, she underwent a radical resection and histology showed the tumor to be a ganglioglioma. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
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Night Terrors
Be prepared for when you child eats a bug, has a night terror, or wakes up barking like a seal. [keepkidshealthy.com]
Treatment
Piracetam is an effective prophylactic treatment for severe BHS. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] is effective in the treatment of BHS and that iron deficient children are more likely to benefit from such treatment. 8 Our data suggest that iron may be crucial in the treatment of BHS because IDA may be the main underlying defect. [adc.bmj.com]
Clinical efficacy of piracetam in treatment of breath holding spells. Pediatric Neurology 1998 ; 18: 41 – 45 Google Scholar Crossref Medline ISI 7. DiMario, FJ. Breath-holding spells in childhood. [doi.org]
Breath-holding spells is a relatively common disorder in young children that usually spontaneously resolves and needs no treatment. [circ.ahajournals.org]
Prognosis
Outlook (Prognosis) 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 are not at more risk of getting a seizure disorder. [nicklauschildrens.org]
Outlook (Prognosis) Most children outgrow breath holding spells by the time they are 4 – 8 years old. Children who have a seizure during a breath holding spell are not at more risk of getting a seizure disorder. [coordinatedhealth.com]
Outlook (Prognosis) 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 are not at higher risk of having seizures otherwise. [m.ufhealth.org]
Prognosis of BHS is very good, but it must be said that rare cases of injury have been reported. Treatment consists of reassurance, and recognition that the episodes are rarely in the child’s control. [epilepsy.com]
See also: Temper tantrums Support Groups Expectations (prognosis) Most children outgrow breath holding spells by ages 4 - 8. [mostellarmedical.org]
Etiology
The book is designed to supplement standard textbooks that provide detailed information on etiology, pathogenesis and therapeutic controversies in pediatric clinical neuroscience. [books.google.com]
Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated 'not otherwise specified', 'unknown etiology' or 'transient'. [icd10data.com]
Epidemiology
The clinical and epidemiologic aspects of breath-holding spells are herein summarized. The pertinent respiratory and neural physiologic interactions involved are delineated, as well as practical treatment approaches. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The clinical and epidemiologic aspects of breath-holding spells are herein summarized. The pertinent respiratory and neural physiologic interactions involved are delineated, as well as practical treatment approaches. ( AJDC. 1992;146:125-131) [doi.org]
View some real examples: Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Great Video for a quick explanation of BHS: Epidemiology Occurs in approximately 5% of the population with equal distribution between males and females. [pedclerk.bsd.uchicago.edu]
Pathophysiology
Prior research concerning the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in breath-holding spells has implicated an autonomic nervous system dysregulation. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
These events are unique to childhood, though they may have the same pathophysiology as similar events that occur in adults. It is important to understand that these episodes are not temper tantrums. [journals.lww.com]
The estimated prevalence of these severe BHS is about 0.6-4%. [2] Although the exact pathophysiology remains unknown, most authors differentiate between two basic mechanisms resulting in either pallid (pBHS) or cyanotic (cBHS) BHS. [annalspc.com]
Prevention
Often, the spells can be predicted and even prevented from occurring once the factors that trigger them have been identified. [news-medical.net]
What can I do to help prevent breath-holding spells? Most attacks from falling down or a sudden fright can't be prevented. Neither can most attacks that are triggered by anger. [kpjampang.com]
Preventing breath-holding You can’t prevent breath-holding, but you might be able to prevent the events leading up to it: Before children start to get upset, try to distract them. Reassure children after they’ve had a fright or a shock. [raisingchildren.net.au]
Preventing Future Spells Once kids mature and develop better coping skills, they usually outgrow breath-holding spells. [kidshealth.org]
Distracting children and avoiding situations that lead to tantrums are the best ways of preventing and treating these spells. [msdmanuals.com]