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My Son Is Almost Two And When He Is Upset
Question: my son is almost two and when he is upset he will stop breathing and turn purple or ghost white and almost pass out.sometimes he will poop himself just a little when this happens. the doctor told me that he will grow out of it but i researched online and it might have something to do with low red blood cell count or anemia?
Brief Answer:
The symptoms r of breath holding spell which can be due to iron deficiency
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Episodes of holding breath in two year old after getting upset is a breath holding spell.
Breath holding spells are seen in babies, infants and children upto six years of age.
The breath holding spell is not purposeful but it is a reflex when child is angry, frustrated, in pain or scared.
Breath holding spell leads to child getting blue or white due to reduced blood flow to extremities.
The condition is harmless and weans off as child grows older.
Iron deficiency anemia may also cause breath holding spell.
I suggest you to get a complete blood count, peripheral blood smear examination and iron studies to know the hemoglobin and iron status in baby.
In case if there is iron deficiency, it can be corrected by giving iron supplements.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
The symptoms r of breath holding spell which can be due to iron deficiency
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Episodes of holding breath in two year old after getting upset is a breath holding spell.
Breath holding spells are seen in babies, infants and children upto six years of age.
The breath holding spell is not purposeful but it is a reflex when child is angry, frustrated, in pain or scared.
Breath holding spell leads to child getting blue or white due to reduced blood flow to extremities.
The condition is harmless and weans off as child grows older.
Iron deficiency anemia may also cause breath holding spell.
I suggest you to get a complete blood count, peripheral blood smear examination and iron studies to know the hemoglobin and iron status in baby.
In case if there is iron deficiency, it can be corrected by giving iron supplements.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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