Most children do not need medical treatment for breath-holding spells.

Breath-holding spells are usually not serious and don't cause lasting damage.

Breath-holding spells are brief periods when young children stop breathing for up to 1 minute.

Breath-holding spells can occur in children between 6 months and 6 years of age.

Breath-holding spells are usually caused by either a change in the child's breathing or a slowing of the heart rate.

Doctors can usually diagnose breath-holding spells based on what happens during a spell.

A fourth type, known as Complicated breath-holding spells, may simply be a more severe form of the two most common types.

Pallid breath-holding spells produce a pale appearance to a child's skin.

The diagnosis of a breath-holding spell is made clinically.

There is no definitive treatment available or needed for breath-holding spells, as the child will eventually outgrow them.

Cyanotic breath-holding spells, the most common type, usually occur in response to anger or frustration.

Breath-holding spells occur in approximately 5% of the population with equal distribution between males and females.

In the third type, known as Pallid breath-holding spells, the most common stimulus is a painful event.

The second type are the Cyanotic breath-holding spells.

Breath-holding spells are usually not serious, do not cause permanent damage or affect a child's future health, and gradually go away on their own.

Children don't have breath-holding spells on purpose.

There are four types of breath-holding spells.

Breath-holding spells are categorized as either cyanotic or pallid.

Some children also have seizures during breath-holding spells, which does not mean they have a seizure disorder.

There is some evidence that children with anemia (especially iron deficiency) may be more prone to breath-holding spells.

Do you have breath-holding spells or do you snore?

The most important approach is to reassure the family, because witnessing a breath-holding spell is a frightening experience for observers.

How common are breath-holding spells?

Two articles support the use of Piracetam as a prophylactic for severe cases of breath-holding spells.

In general, breath-holding spells cause a child to faint and may sometimes cause the muscles to twitch or the body to stiffen.