Breath-holding spells differ by cause and characteristics:
Cyanotic breath-holding spells happen when a child stops breathing and turns blue in the face. These spells are often triggered by something that upsets the child, like being disciplined. While crying, the child exhales (breathes out) and then doesn't take another breath in for a while. Parents who have witnessed prior cyanotic spells know exactly when another one is about to happen because their child's face slowly turns a shade of blue, ranging from light blue to almost purple.
Pallid breath-holding spells are less common and more unpredictable because they happen after a child has gotten a sudden fright or startle (like being surprised from behind). Unlike with cyanotic spells, kids turn very pale, almost white, during the spell.
Both types of spells cause kids to stop breathing and sometimes lose consciousness for up to a minute. In the most extreme cases, kids might have seizures. Having a seizure does not cause any long-term harm or put a child at risk of developing a seizure disorder.
