Got a health question about my 9 month old

So my youngest has had 2 episodes that were we concerned were seizures, but the neurologist we just saw said he thinks they were something called holding breath syndrome.

She got mad and started to cry but nothing came out and she wasn't breathing. Then she turned blue in the face and tipped over. Scariest thing I have ever seen. Any one have a child that's done this?


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I have not witnessed this but I know of a couple who's child likely had it. I don't think they were able to officially diagnose it because unless observed by the doctor there is no way to diagnose it. They said there was no medicine or treatment. Their child eventually grew out of it after a year or so. Yes, I can imagine this would be horrifying.

 

I have not seen it in our daughters, but I have heard about it. Sometimes accompanies a tantrum. You can hold your breath until you pass out. (Go ahead, try it.) As soon as you pass out, the autonomic nervous system takes over again and you start breathing again. Breathing, heart rate, etc., is not voluntary. You can mess with it, but you can't make it stop. Experiments have been done showing that you can even learn to control your heart rate, to an extent.

 

Im sure you have tried everything, but the next time she holds her breath like that blow air in her face. My boy will hold his breath like that, but with me blowing air on his face he seems to get distracted and will let out a cry or breath.

 

The doctor said he'd be concerned if it happened while she was happy but since it was when she got mad he's not concerned.


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With kids it's part of a tantrum. I don't know if they do it consciously or if it just happens.



When you notice them holding their breath, tickle them

 

I haven't seen it personally but I do see it on the charts for my emergency department. All of the parents are understandably freaked out like you.

 

This is the advice I have heard also...

 

They did an ekg and drew some blood for some tests. They think she may be low on iron and the ekg was just in case. We should know something early next week.


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Yeah, blow in her face. Friend of mines kid did that, eventually out grew it.

 

wow... thats scary... i was a mess when my daughter got RSV and was hospitalized for 2 days.. i couldn't imagine that..