No treatment is usually necessary and affected children outgrow the behavior. If iron deficiency is found, iron replacement should be started.
Expectations (prognosis):
This condition normally goes away without treatment before the child is 2 years old.
Complications:
Breath holding may be mistaken for seizures, and seizures may be mistaken for breath holding, so be sure to have your child evaluated by a physician.
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if your child exhibits breath holding behaviors, especially if this is a new behavior for the child or if the child does this frequently.
Review Date: 12/1/2005
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
