4 Year Old Passes Out When Upset

by Kari Winder
(middletown ohio)

Question: My son is 4 years old, when he gets hurt or angry he starts to cry but nothing comes out, his eyes roll in the back of his head and he starts to have seizures, then passes out.

I have talked to doctors but never had tests done. They seizures started when he was 2 after his father was murdered. It's been about 6 times in 2 years.

What can I do for my son because I don't want to be away from him if it continues to happen. Thank you

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Baby Help Line Answer:

Breath-Holding Spells In Children

Hi Kari,

I am so sorry to hear about the traumatic event in your and your son's life. Surely it affects both of you a lot and I hope you have help around you to help you heal.

But regarding your son's seizures, it is possible that I can ease your mind a bit - they are not likely to be related to his father's death.

From what you describe, it sounds as if he has something called breath-holding spells. They are actually more common than one would think, and affect around 1-5% of all toddlers. They often start at around the age of 2 and then disappear at around 5 or 6 years old. And most important, despite being very frightening for the people seeing the seizure, they are not dangerous for the child.

These breath-holding spells are caused by a reflex as a result of an unpleasant even for the child, such as becoming upset or have a fright or a fall for example. It is not a behavior thing and it is not psychological.

There are a few things you can do about the situation. First of all, talk again to a pediatrician, to make sure what is happening really is breath-holding spells. Sometimes they can be confused with other illnesses, such as epilepsy. They are different, though, and a doctor can tell them apart. Try to document all symptoms both before, during and the seizure to discuss with the doctor.

Epilepsy is a lot less common than breath-holding spells and the seizures do not typically occur when a child is upset. A characteristic sequence of stimulus (such as getting hurt), a cry, pause, facial color change, limp unresponsiveness and then jerking marks it as a breath-holding spell, not epilepsy. The best way to distinguish epilepsy from breath-holding is to search for a trigger: epilepsy rarely has one and breath-holding almost always does - like in your son's case.

Your son should also be checked for iron deficiency, which can increase the occurrence of breath-holding spells, and also have a general examination to make sure he is healthy.

When all that is done, make sure you know enough about this situation to be able to teach other people that may be around when it happens.

I understand that you don't want to be away from your son when it happens. But that isn't always possible, for example if you have to go to work.

If you can tell his babysitter, teacher et cetera, what is going on and how to deal with it, then you don't have to be so worried.

For example, one might try calm him down before he gets too frustrated. At 4 years old, you can try distracting him, it may still work. Also make him feel as safe and secure as possible, without limiting his urge to explore the world.

When the spells occur, he should simply be put on his side. No shaking, no water in his face, nothing in his mouth, as some people believe. Just keep him safe and keep calm. Also don't make much fuss about it afterwards.

Remember that if it really is a breath-holding spell, it is an involuntary reflex that isn't dangerous and that he will grow out of.

I hope this helps,

Paula

More Forum Discussions On Children Passing Out

• Baby Passing Out When Crying Hard


• Baby Passing Out After Crying Due To Mom's Reaction?


• What Could Cause Baby To Pass Out Of Anger?


• Baby Vomits Then Passes Out

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