Breath-holding spells are brief periods-usually lasting no longer
than a minute-when a young child stops breathing. These spells usually result
from anger, fear, pain, or frustration and are not a deliberate behavior on the
child's part.
The two main types of breath-holding spells are cyanotic, caused
by the change in breathing pattern, or pallid, caused by a slowing of the heart
rate.
Breath-holding spells are most common in children between 6 months
and 4 years of age. Breath-holding spells are usually not serious and do not
cause permanent damage or affect a child's future health. Most children
gradually outgrow them.
