Why does my baby turn blue when crying?

The cyanotic spell is often a response to frustration, anger, fear, or pain. It usually occurs when the child is crying and becomes unable to draw a breath. Their skin turns bluish, especially around the lips, and they faint. They regain consciousness within a minute.

Why do babies turn blue when they cry?

If the child's face turns blue, it's called a cyanotic breath-holding spell. Usually the child cries very hard and then has the spell. Cyanotic breath-holding spells are usually caused by anger or frustration. If the child's face turns white, it's called pallid breath-holding spell.

What to do when a baby stops breathing while crying?

What are blue spells in babies?

Cyanosis, or blue spells, is when a reduced amount of blood flows into the lungs. Since blood carries oxygen, less oxygen is delivered to the body. As a result, a child may appear blue or bluish. The colour is caused by high levels of reduced (deoxygenated) hemoglobin in the blood near the surface of the skin.

What causes a baby to stop breathing when crying?

Causes. Often, a breath-holding attack starts with crying in reaction to pain, fear, or anger. If your child has a cyanotic spell, they're probably upset or frustrated about something. May be they got into trouble or wants something they can't have.

Baby hold Breath turn Blue | Breath Holding Spells Causes and Treatment

Why do babies turn blue?

Infant methemoglobinemia is also called “blue baby syndrome.” It is a condition where a baby's skin turns blue. This happens when there is not enough oxygen in the blood. Methemoglobinemia is a condition that some babies are born with (congenital) or some develop early in life (acquired).

Can babies cry so hard they pass out?

The cyanotic spell is often a response to frustration, anger, fear, or pain. It usually occurs when the child is crying and becomes unable to draw a breath. Their skin turns bluish, especially around the lips, and they faint. They regain consciousness within a minute.

Why does my baby lips turn purple when crying?

“If your baby's lips are turning blue, or the mucus membranes in their mouth or tongue turn blue, this is a sign that they are not getting enough oxygen,” says Carrie Drazba, MD, a pediatrician at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. This condition is known as cyanosis.

What is cyanotic spell?

Cyanotic spells, also known as blue spells, dying spells, or apparent life-threatening events, refer to a bluish tone visible in the mucosal membranes and skin caused by an oxygen decrease in the peripheral circulation.

Can babies hyperventilate from crying?

Doctors call rapid breathing tachypnea. When a baby exerts themselves, such as during crawling or crying, they need more oxygen, so their breathing rate may increase. This is usually harmless as long as their breathing returns to its regular rate.

Why does blowing on a baby's face take her breath away?

Blowing on the face is a common trick. It triggers a reflex to hold the breath for a short moment. That stops the crying, and can also be used when washing the child's face etc.

Can breath-holding spells cause death?

Serious complications of breath holding spells are rare, but cases of sudden death, prolonged asystole, and status epilepticus have been reported. A detailed history and exam are important to diagnose theses spells and help distinguish from epileptic seizures and other causes of syncope.

Are breath-holding spells seizures?

No. Children with breath-holding spells do not have epilepsy. As breath-holding spells may look like epileptic seizures, the 2 are often confused. Breath-holding spells happen after your child has been frustrated, startled or hurt.

Can breath-holding spells cause brain damage?

The good news is that breath-holding spells usually go away after age 5. They won't cause brain damage or other problems. And they don't make your child more likely to have health problems later in life.

Is blue baby syndrome curable?

Babies with methemoglobinemia can reverse the condition by taking a drug called methylene blue, which can provide oxygen to the blood. This drug needs a prescription and is usually delivered via a needle inserted into a vein.

How do I know if my baby has poor circulation?

What is a cyanotic episode?

Cyanotic spells occur in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease, in particular tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia. They usually occur early in the morning, or in the context of stress or dehydration ie periods of increased oxygen demand/ultilisation.

How do you manage a cyanotic spell?

Management of Cyanotic Spells

Management of spells is by intervening to increasing systemic vascular resistance, reducing systemic blood flow (increasing afterload) and at the same time reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and increasing pulmonary blood flow. (0.1mg/kg) as a slow bolus over at least 3-5 minutes.

How do you prevent cyanotic spells?

We can therefore conclude that the use of beta-blockers prevents the occurrence of cyanotic spells in preoperative patients with tetralogy of Fallot.

Why do babies lips go blue with wind?

Acrocyanosis happens when small blood vessels shrink in response to cold. This is very normal in infants during the first few days after birth. In older children, circumoral cyanosis often appears when they go outside in cold weather or get out of a warm bath. This type of cyanosis should go away once they warm up.

When should I be worried about blue lips?

People must call 911 if their lips or someone else's lips change color, and the following symptoms occur: lips, face, tongue, or skin suddenly turn blue or gray. difficulty breathing. chest pain.

What should I do if my baby has blue lips?

Call 911 if:

In a newborn, it's common for the area around a baby's mouth and even the palms and soles of the feet to turn blue once in awhile. But when a baby's lips, mouth, head, or torso are blue, it's a sign of a more serious problem and you should seek medical help right away.

Can blowing in a baby face hurt them?

Blowing on the face is a common trick. It triggers a reflex to hold the breath for a short moment. That stops the crying, and can also be used when washing the child's face etc. I am not aware of any consequences of this, neither positive nor negative.

What is a breath-holding spell?

A breath-holding spell is a benign paroxysmal nonepileptic disorder occurring in healthy children 6 to 48 months of age. The episodes start with a provocation such as emotional upset or minor injury, and might progress to breath holding, cyanosis, and syncope.

What is sudden infant death syndrome?

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – sometimes known as "cot death" – is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby. In the UK, around 200 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year. This statistic may sound alarming, but SIDS is rare and the risk of your baby dying from it is low.