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Persistence of breath-holding spells into late childhood
1Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College Hospital, Chandigarh, India. goraya@glide.net.in
Journal of Child Neurology
|September 29, 2001
Insights
Breath-holding spells are common in infants and usually resolve by school age. This case highlights an unusual instance of spells persisting in an 8-year-old, causing diagnostic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
Background:
- Breath-holding spells are a common, benign childhood condition.
- Typically, these spells resolve before school age.
Observation:
- A case study of an 8-year-old boy experiencing persistent breath-holding spells.
- This presentation is uncommon for the typical age of resolution.
Findings:
- Breath-holding spells can continue beyond the expected age of resolution.
- Persistent spells may lead to diagnostic uncertainty.
Implications:
- Highlights the need for considering atypical presentations of common pediatric conditions.
- Emphasizes careful evaluation when symptoms extend beyond typical age ranges.
Abstract:
Breath-holding spells commonly occur during infancy. The disorder represents a self-limited, benign phenomenon, and breathholding spells almost always resolve by school age. Their continuing occurrence beyond this age is exceedingly uncommon and may create diagnostic confusion. We recently encountered an 8-year-old boy who continues to experience breath-holding spells.