Ever hear of or witnessed "Breath Holding Syndrome" in a child?

My son started having "episodes" in April 08 at 11 mths old. He has had 8 since then. I realized that it happens in the evenings when he is tired and has gotten hurt, upset, or scared. This is not a temper tantrum. He panics that he cannot catch his breath. He will turn purple, his body stiffens, his eyes will roll up and to the side, then he passes out. After he awakes, he confused and lethargic and tired- just not himself. I thought he was havig seizures, but an EEG said that there is no seizure activity. His doctor said the he was having tantrums and holding his breath. I knew that this was not the case and this was involuntary. I am on pins and needles everytime he cries. I am scared to leave him with a sitter to spend time with my husband. My other 2 children never did this, so I really don't know how to handle this. His doctor doesn't seemed concerned at all, and I surely do not share the same attitude. Should I see another doctor? Is this truly breath holding syndrome and should not be too concerned?

My daughter has BHS, the pallid form, and on two occations the "complicated/severe" type. She is 5 and has not outgrown it yet. Her last episode was in Feb. 2008 and before that in Aug. 2007. She had a total of 3 episodes last summer. Her overall average is one every 6 months since she was 18 months old. We figure she is due to have one any day. Or maybe she has finally outgrown it! Let me know if you would like more info.

Oh my god that is really scary! I have never heard of that happening before. That had to freak you out every time that she did it. thank god she grew out of that stage

Hey , my son is 10 months now and he also has this condition. He was diagnosed when he was as littlas 1 month old as he was crying even in between feeds, I later assumed that it could be due to the trapped wind and hence I started burping him more often. That seems to have done the trick for feed time BHS. When it all seems to be settling, now that he is into everything, whenever he gets hurt, it can happen(1-2 times a day or more, he does it even when I leave the room. But as you said, doctor assured that he will grow out of it after when he is 2 years old. Blowing or water sprinkling doesn't work and it is very painful to watch. Prevention always does not waork as cannot stop him from bumping his head or falling over at times. So, I guess I have to waite and see for him to grow out of it.

My 2.5 year old baby girl did this today for the first time at the playground, she was crying cause she wanted to go back on the slide but wanted to climb up instead of going around. So she started crying then she had the silent cry, the the one right before they let out a whopper scream lol anyways then all of a sudden she started changing colour, I just said oh my god, te her eyes rolled back in her head and she went limp, oh my god oh my god OH MY GOD! Is all I kept saying then SOMEONE HELP ME!!!! I looked like a looney but I was so scared, I have never seen anything like it except when I was workin in childcare and a boy had a seizure, so ofcourse I was freaking out thaty baby could possibly be having a seizure!! I don't remember anything else that happened, I blacked out, the next thing I remember is holding my crying baby iny arms sayin 'i love you so much' over and over crying hysterically!!! Took her to the doctors and he laughed and said ' love don't stress, this is quite common and has no long term damage.' I can't believe something like that is nothing, I shat myself, I actually thought I was loosing my baby, I feared the worst. She is fine now, been running around and bashing her brother like usual. I really appreciate her now, I realize how bad it could have been and I could easily loose her. I couldnt live without her.

My daughter is 14 months old and has had three episodes in the last 8 months. The first time was after she had fallen and hit her head. The second time, we were visiting friends and she was about to drink out of another kids cup. I jerked it away quickly, then it happened. The last time was during allergy testing. Every time it happens, she is crying and suddenly stop, stiffens like a board, eyes roll back in her head and stops taking breaths. She then, goes limp and passes out. She usually remains in a deep sleep for about an hour. I would love to hear more from people who have figured this thing out and who can help me! Please email me with any ideas.... kellie.love@rocketmail.com

I'm really surprised your doctor didn't explain more about Breath Holding Syndrome. Scary. It's an involuntary pause in breathing. Even though treatment is usually 'wait and watch' you can make sure your child is not anemic. Also, having a doc who believes you and knows about most common disorders or will go do research and come back and say 'hey, I found this...' is possible! I'm sorry you had to suffer through that alone. But now you can be there for others. This also runs in families, so hey, now you're the family expert!

My son started having "episodes" when he was 11 mths old in April 08. He has had 8 since then. Much like your daughter, this was not due to a temper tantrum. I realized that his episodes occur in the evenings when he is tired and has gotten hurt or startled. Once he is unable to catch his breath, he turns purple, his body becomes stiff as a board, his eyes roll back, then passes out. I thought at first that he was having seizures, but an EEG provide there was no seizure activity. My doctor told me that he was holding his breath to get attention, but I knew that was not the case. He, too, will begin to panic because he cannot catch his breath. I try blowing into his face and it just scares him more. After he awakes from the episode, he is very confused and lethargic. I am literally on pins and needles everytime he cries. I am scared to leave him with a sitter to enjoy some time with my husband. The doctor doesn't seem concerned at all, and I can say I don't share the same attitude as her. Should I take him to another doctor?

Hi, My daughter has this problem, She started at the age of around 8mths She was over tired & crying in Her porta cot in the loungeroom on our holiday at My sisters, She stoped crying & was standing there turning blue I grabed her straight away & tryed everything to get her to breath (It seems like a very long time wile its happening) it didnt take long to get her back breathing/crying. We thought it was a 1 off as she was soo over tired & exuasted. But We moved house & it all started up, first was rolling off the lounge & falling on a thick blanket (Wich wouldnt have hurt & only given her a fright)She was fine just crying & when i picked her up she started holding her breath not turning blue just holding it & than let a big gasp out & went out like a light & was all limp. I freaked & was opening the door & she opened her eyes & give another gasp & went out again, I ran outside as I couldnt find my phone to call for help & as i went out my son was freaked out & screamed & the jolt from jumping off the varanda must have jolted her to wake up & she started breathing again. another time she blacked out was a chair tipped over & she fell & bumped her noggin & it was on again. She holds her breath now & than now, but we have worked out that if You bang her back as if you were burping her but alot firmer she comes out of it & is fine but it is still scary even that you get use to it. the other methods we have heard of that dont react to her are throwing her up in the air, blowing in her mouth & lifting her arms up high. A couple I have spoken to that have a child with the same problem just let their kid black out & than come to, but i belive it could do harm to the child & I couldnt bring myself or even think of bringing myself to not do anything to prevent it from happening. My daughter is now aware i think of it all & tryes her hardest to not get upset so it doesnt happen as she gets as freaked out as Mum & Dad :( She is now 22mths & her last epasode was getting hurt by another child at the park (scooter bumped into her) She started holding her breath & I patted her back & it took a bit to get her back, but no black out :) Her last black out was only a few months back with her Dad out the front (I think she got upset when she had to get out of the car or she got hurt getting out of the car), but only for a few seconds as Her Dad got her to breath. This problem needs to be recognised as the first Dr we went to get answers from wasnt any good & said she will breath eventualy, than after asking a few Drs & got no answer we found out its actualy a syndrome called breath holding syndrome wich i found out from a lady at the RTA who i sat next to & had a convisation with. there is no cure, but it can be more recognised & more awarness made about it.