My two year old daughter will get hurt or upset and when she starts crying she only lets out one loud cry and then she turns blue, can't breath and then faints, she then starts to jerk (mild seizure) and then starts to urinate on herself. She then wakes up unaware really and then acts very sleepy. She started doing this when she was about 18 months old, but at first she would just turn a little blue, but now she completely faints. She has only really fainted about 6 times.

It isn't just when she is throwing a tantrum, she does it when she gets hurt. On Sunday we were at church and my girls were running around and one of the girls opened a door and it slid across Morgan's toenail and caused it to bleed. My husband found her laying there unconscious and blue and then a couple of seconds later she woke up.

On Monday night she threw a fit while I was changing her and did it again. That time really scared me so bad and I made a doctor's appointment for Thursday morning. Everything that I've read about it says that about 1 in 20 children do it and although it is scary it won't hurt them, but that is my child and to see them laying their unconscious is very scary and upsetting to me. I also read that they usually outgrow it by 5 years old - I don't think I can handle waiting that long. I think, Oh, great day, what if I'm in public?

Has anyone else had a child that has breath holding spells?

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 08:12 am:

I am not concerned about the breath holding, as that is self-correcting. I am, however, concerned about the mild seizure. I don't know enough about this phenomenon to know what is "normal" for the breath-holding, but the seizures and urinating does concern me. I am really glad you are going to the pediatrician. And I am hoping he refers your daughter to a pediatric neurologist.

Please keep us informed. I personally would be scared to death also.

One thing, if it happens in public, I think you will find most of the people around you sympathetic and asking if they can help. But if you can get a handle on it, it is certainly best to do that before other children, who will be her playmates and schoolmates, become aware - children are a great deal less kind.

By Amecmom on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 08:34 am:

Ditto, Ginny! And please don't let the doc just brush you off by saying that a certain number of children do it, etc. Don't just hope he refers you, ask for a referral and further testing.
Ame

By Children03 on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 08:58 am:

I read that if your child does actually faint to take them to a pediatrician for further testing to rule out other things. The seizures that go along with fainting is "normal" according to everything that I've read on this subject. Your child may have a seizure during a breath-holding spell. "Seizures are more likely to occur if your child has long periods of breath-holding. During a seizure children may vomit or pass urine. Having a seizure as part of a breath-holding spell does not mean your child has epilepsy or other seizure disorder."

I am concerned, I mean what parent wouldn't be? I worry more that she could faint and fall and her herself when we are not around, like at church on Sunday. My husband found her lying on the floor like that.

By Kittycat_26 on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 10:00 am:

The breath holding I've heard of though the mild seizure I never have. My mom told me that I used to do this all the time as a child. When she started ignoring it, I stoped doing it.

I'd most definately talk to your ped about it though and see what they have to say. After talking to them, you can decide if you want to go further with testing or not.

Good luck.

By Kaye on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 10:18 am:

My oldest child, my dd did the breath holding thing too. She only passed out about 3 times, but I guess thankfully she never had the seizures. Two of my three times were in public, it happens. The biggest issue was my dd did it while have tantrums, nothing like the entire world trying to help out to encourage the behavior! We did get a free meal once I would defitely go to the ped. We called, they didj't seem to concerened. My dd was 2, I don't know when they stopped, but she hasn't done it in sometime. One "trick" that I learned was I blow in her face/mouth when she started to hold her breathe, that helpped sometimes.

By Children03 on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 11:48 am:

I've tried the blowing in her face and it will not work and I read not to throw cold water in their face. Even if the doctor tells me it is normal for some children to do this - I hope he can at least tell me what I can do during one of the episodes.

I also read that children that do it even when they get hurt or scared can't control it. I guess I will just have to see what the ped. says tomorrow. I pray that it will be good news.

By Missmudd on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 12:01 pm:

I had a breath holder, I took a cold wash cloth and wiped his face, it startled him enough to break the vapor lock. This was a few years ago tho so I dont know if they still say this is ok. Definately talk w/ your ped.

By Colette on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 12:24 pm:

Good luck tomorrow with this. It must be very scary for you.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 03:32 pm:

My DD had a few of these spells, as did my BIL when he was a baby. It's scary, but it isn't a big concern. As soon as they faint you can do a quick sternum rub (rub your knuckles across her sternum) to wake them up. Maddie did it in the park once, went rigid in her daddy's arms, urinated, he laid her down for the sternum rub and she came right back. Perhaps if you do that it'll prevent her from being out long enough to cause the spasms/seizures.

By Mrsheidi on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 07:40 pm:

Wouldn't lack of oxygen to the brain be a BIG issue? I have a hard time believing it's not a big deal to pass out and have the possibility that they not only hit their head as they fall, but again, I would think the lack of oxygen would be detrimental to their brain cells.
April, let us know how it goes at the pediatrician.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 08:23 pm:

It's called hypoxic drive, she cannot cut off enough oxygen to her brain to cause damage. There is enough oxygen in her blood stream to supply her brain. The hypoxic drive is what causes the fainting, which jumpstarts breathing. If you want to cut it off at the pass you can do the sternum rub I mentioned before she actually passes out, it will force her to breathe. (I had to check with DH on that, because not only does our DD do it, but he's an EMT by trade, and has covered this "phenomenon" in school.) Trust your doctor when he says it's common and not a big deal. If it scares you just force her to breath before she faints. If it happens in public (which I've been through) you just care for her on the spot, then head home if need be. Don't let stares or whispers bug you, it's no different than a tantrum.

By Kaye on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 08:30 am:

Heidi, once you pass out you start breathing again, so there is very little lack of oxy to the brain, it is like holding your breath underwater in the pool, you can do it for just a bit and it is no big deal.

By Children03 on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 05:03 pm:

I took Morgan to the doctor and he took some blood from her to get a CBC and see if she is anemic. This can cause the problem sometimes. He gave me some instructions to work with if the tests come back negative. There isn't much I can do about it. I should get the blood work back on Monday.

By Mrsheidi on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 05:59 pm:

Thanks for the update, April! I hope this can be resolved for you...it must be so frightening!!
{{{HUGS}}}