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Breath Holding SpellAka: Breath-Holding Spell

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  1. Characteristics
    1. Transient episodes of breath holding
    2. Associated with child becoming limp and unresponsive
    3. Seizure-type activity may occur
  2. Type
    1. Cyanotic Breath Holding Spell (most common)
    2. Pallid Breath Holding Spell
  3. Diagnostics
    1. Electroencephalogram (EEG) normal
  4. Differential Diagnosis
    1. See Pediatric Spells
  5. Evaluation
    1. Thorough history and examination
    2. Rule-out other Pediatric Spell
    3. Consider checking for Iron Deficiency Anemia
      1. Kolkiran (2005) Acta Paediatr 94:1227
  6. Management
    1. No intervention is necessary
      1. In fact, interventions may reinforce behavior
    2. Position child in safe place (e.g. bed)
    3. Do not hold or play until completely recovers

Breath-holding spell (C0476287)

ConceptsSign or Symptom (T184)
ICD9786.9
EnglishBHS, Breath-holding spell, BREATH-HOLDING SPELLS
Parent Concepts[D]Other respiratory system and chest symptoms (C0476286), Duplicate concept (C1274013)
SourcesMTH, MTHICD9, OMIM, SCTSPA, SNOMEDCT
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)



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