Involuntary Breath-Holding Spells (BHS) is an involuntary action in which a child will stop breathing and often loses consciousness, due to the brain not receiving enough oxygen. This is a reflex, involuntary reaction to either pain or extreme emotion. The onset of BHS can occur at a very young age, in children as young as months old. Depending on the severity of the BHS spell, the child may or may not cry, lose consciousness & may have a non-epileptic seizure. Additional research needs to be conducted to fully understand the case, treatment options & raise general public awareness & education on BHS. Families may feel alone & frightened since BHS has been, for a long time, misunderstood. Parents dealing with BHS describe the event as feeling like their child has died, limp in their arms.
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