Knowledge and Awareness of Breath-Holding Spells in Infants and Toddlers Among Parents in Saudi Arabia

TL;DR

This study found that many Saudi parents of infants and toddlers lack knowledge about breath-holding spells and often use harmful responses.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into parental awareness and misconceptions about breath-holding spells in Saudi Arabia.

Findings

Most parents lacked awareness of breath-holding spells despite their frequency in young children.

Inappropriate responses like shaking were common among parents who experienced BHS in their children.

Parents with firsthand experience or older children had significantly better knowledge of BHS.

Abstract

Background and objective

Breath-holding spells (BHS) are common in infants and young children, often triggered by emotional factors like anger or frustration. While their exact cause remains unknown, potential causative factors include iron deficiency and delayed brain development. Despite their frequency, many parents lack proper awareness and understanding of BHS. This study assessed parental knowledge and awareness of BHS among Saudi Arabian parents of infants and toddlers.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire from November 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024. Participants were Saudi Arabian adults with at least one child. The questionnaire was validated for reliability and validity. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, parental knowledge of BHS, and experiences with the condition. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 24.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with Chi-square tests employed to assess relationships between variables. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was acquired from all participants.

Results

A total of 251 participants were included; while most parents were female and well-educated, many lacked awareness of BHS. Emotional triggers were common causes, and inappropriate responses, such as shaking, occurred frequently. Around a quarter of parents reported experiencing BHS with their children. Knowledge regarding BHS was significantly higher among those parents who had firsthand experience with BHS or those with older children.

Conclusions

Parents in our sampled cohort had limited knowledge and awareness of BHS. Many parents lack a proper understanding of appropriate management strategies and often resort to harmful practices. These findings emphasize the need for targeted educational interventions to improve parental knowledge and promote safe and effective management of BHS.

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