My Son (4 Years Old) stops breathing after he is hurt

[special brother]

"Spells of breath holding involve some episode that causes pain, anger, frustration, etc. and results in crying. Next the youngster quits down and, after exhaling, stops breathing. When this occurs you'll notice a change in color, with the child becoming pale or even blue. Limpness or a rigid posture can then occur. These breath holding spells last only a short while, and they are not deliberate - that is, the behavior is not under the child's voluntary control. It is likely that your son displayed an episode such as those discussed above, and if that is the case there is no reason to be alarmed. Almost all children who display such a condition do not do so after the age of seven or so. And nine out of ten don't have episodes after the age of six. Such children are also not at any particular risk of developing other serious problems".......  The above was taken from a question you answered which is exactly what my son does,  he is 4 year old.  You did not explain what you should do when this happens.  It is very concerning.  Could you please explain the best thing to do.  There have been times when I give him mouth to mouth to bring him round.  I have also been told to splash him with water which appears to work.  Will he start breathing himself if he is left or worse if not found when it happens.  I look forward to your response.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Without more information, I really cannot responsibly suggest any intervention. It would be prudent to speak with your child's pediatrician; I'm not sure you are referring to the same sort of experience I was addressing in the formwer posting. Would you let me know the date of the note to which you are referring and I can check?

[Kalio1]

You should not give mouth to mouth to a person that IS breathing, especially a child. I think you should consult his pediatrician about his breath holding to ensure it is nothing that needs medical attention and if the dotor says it is not medically related, I would ignore it competely when he does it. He will take a breath and be fine I know it is a hard behavior to deal with.

[special brother]

Thanks for that.  However he is not breathing when we have had to give him mouth to mouth infact he is lifeless and has gone limp and his lips are a blue colour.  He does not respond to anything, as I said he is lifeless.  I do not believe he does it on purpose, it is usually after he has been hurt badly and it looks like it is resultant of the shock.  I look forward to a further respond.

[special brother]

Thanks for that.  The date was 06/15/03.  If you require any further information please let me now.  It would be nice to know if we are doing the right thing.

[who_dis]

He absolutely needs medical evaluation before you infer that this has an emotional basis.  There can be certain cardiac problems that can lead to sudden collapse after some sort of inciting incident.  

A pediatric cardiologist would be a good place to start, and perhaps a neurologist to rule out a seizure disorder.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

I am very concerned about what is occurring. Please do not hesitate to make an urgent appointment with your pediatrician. It's one thing if a child is displaying benign holding of the breath as a manifestation of upset - this is in the same realm as tantrums, basically. It's quite another thing if a child is displaying the sorts of symptoms you are experiencing. Please seek medical intervention.