Breath holding attacks

Question 1

What is a breath holding attack?

Answer 1

Toddler gets upset -> holds breaths ->goes blue and limp, lose consciousness

resolves spontaneously

very worrying for the parent

but quite common and not dangerous -toddlers grow out of it

Question 2

How do you manage breath holding attacks?

Answer 2

Not much to do -try and encourage behavioural changes. -like distracting the toddler when its upset

Question 3

complicaitons of breath holding attacks

Answer 3

very rare -barely worth noting

but has been reports of status epilepticus, prolonged asystole and sudden death