Abstract

The natural history of severe breath-holding spells (BHS) was studied prospectively in 95 children (48 boys, 47 girls) referred for neurologic consultation at Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, CT.

Highlights

  • The natural history of severe breath-holding spells (BHS) was studied prospectively in 95 children (48 boys, 47 girls) referred for neurologic consultation at Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT

  • Breath-holding spells (BHS) are an involuntary, reflexic, nonepileptic paroxysmal disorder of infancy and early childhood. They are characterized by the following sequence of symptoms: 1) a precipitating factor such as slight injury or emotional upset; 2) crying of short duration; 3) a respiratory gasp and breath holding in expiration; 4) cyanosis and/or pallor; 5) opisthotonic rigidity and loss of consciousness; and 6) flaccidity or convulsive movements

  • -called pallid BHS are precipitated by trauma rather than anger, and are associated with cardiac asystole and EEG slowing

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Summary

Introduction

The natural history of severe breath-holding spells (BHS) was studied prospectively in 95 children (48 boys, 47 girls) referred for neurologic consultation at Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT. The cyanotic type of BHS was reported in 52%, the pallid type in 28%, and both types occurred in 20%. Electrocardiogram recordings performed on children with pallid spells were all normal.

Results
Conclusion

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