The scenario is often the same: a sharp emotion, a strong anger, a reprimand causes the tears of your baby who has more and more difficulty to catch his breath. His thorax hangs on exhalation, it turns blue and, during a brief loss of consciousness, relaxes completely. Immediately, the respiratory spasms cease, he breathes normally, regains color and his brain is again irrigated. After a few minutes, he completely regains his senses.
Despite its dramatic appearance, this spasm is completely harmless and has no unfortunate consequences. If your child is having a seizure, stay calm and lay them flat. No need to slap him or spray him with cold water: he is able to catch his breath on his own. Most of the time, the event remains isolated. Some children will have two or three episodes, others are victims of a crisis per day until these attacks stop suddenly, around the age of 6 years.
If these spasms are frequent, talk to the doctor. If necessary, he will prescribe magnesium, vitamin B6 and, if necessary, a very light sedative which will attenuate or suppress the attacks. Also see if your child turns pale, if he is agitated with muscular movements, if his eyes roll back. In this case, the cause must be investigated, as certain disorders can cause syncope.
A mean of pression
Children perfectly notice their parents’ anguished reaction to a sob spasm, and some will have a tendency to play with it. This is a very effective means of pressure. The crisis is triggered with each refusal, to such an extent that those around them no longer dare to upset them! The real danger, in this case, is educational! The best solution is then to trivialize the event: remember that the spasm is harmless!
Be careful, do not confuse the spasm with the convulsion that occurs in a toddler who has a fever and is caused by a sudden rise in temperature.
