Breath-holding spells in childhood
F. J. DiMario Jr
Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030.
Childhood breath-holding spells are a common and frightening phenomenon
occurring in healthy, otherwise normal children. They have been well
recognized for several hundred years. There appear to be two clinical
forms: the cyanotic type and the pallid type, referring to the color change
exhibited by the child during the episode. Prior research concerning the
underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in breath-holding spells
has implicated an autonomic nervous system dysregulation. Cerebral anoxia
is the ultimate factor responsible for the loss of consciousness observed
in the severe forms of breath-holding spells. The clinical and
epidemiologic aspects of breath-holding spells are herein summarized. The
pertinent respiratory and neural physiologic interactions involved are
delineated, as well as practical treatment approaches.
Changes of Autonomic Nervous System Function in Patients With Breath-Holding Spells Treated With Iron
Orii et al.
J Child Neurol 2002;17:337-340.
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Persistence of Breath-Holding Spells Into Late Childhood
Goraya and Virdi
J Child Neurol 2001;16:697-698.
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Breath-Holding Spells Associated With Significant Bradycardia: Successful Treatment With Permanent Pacemaker Implantation
Kelly et al.
Pediatrics 2001;108:698-702.
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Breath-Holding Spells and Pacemaker Implantation
DiMario Jr
Pediatrics 2001;108:765-766.
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Prospective Study of Children With Cyanotic and Pallid Breath-Holding Spells
DiMario Jr
Pediatrics 2001;107:265-269.
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Rapid Eye Movement Sleep in Breath Holders
Kohyama et al.
J Child Neurol 2000;15:449-452.
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Cardiac pacing for severe childhood neurally mediated syncope with reflex anoxic seizures
McLeod et al.
Heart 1999;82:721-725.
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The Role of the Capnography Head-up Tilt Test in the Diagnosis of Syncope in Children and Adolescents
Naschitz et al.
Pediatrics 1998;101
:e6-e6.
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A Prospective Evaluation of Pediatric Patients With Syncope
Lerman-Sagie et al.
CLIN PEDIATR 1994;33:66-70.
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