Breath-Holding Spells

Breath-holding spells, also called sobbing spasms, are episodes in which a young child, during intense crying from anger, fright, or pain, briefly stops breathing and may change color or lose consciousness for a few moments.

How they present: after an upset, the child cries hard, holds their breath, and the skin may turn bluish or pale; the episode is usually brief and recovery is spontaneous.

When is it a good idea to have it checked? If the episodes are frequent, very prolonged, or raise doubts about their origin, it is a good idea to mention it.

Who treats it? The pediatrician is the first professional to consult and, depending on the case, may provide guidance with pediatric cardiology or neurology to rule out other causes. A calm evaluation helps families know how to act when faced with breath-holding spells.