Knowledge and Awareness of Breath-Holding Spells in Infants and Toddlers Among Parents in Saudi Arabia
Kholoud A Hothan, Reem S Al Judaibi, Mona S Alshabi, Raghad H Alkhalifah, Nouf A Alturki, Shahad Shawish, Rawan M Alsofyani, Tahani F Alanazi, Ahmed K Bamaga, Mohamed A Ali, Nadia M Fida

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…
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Taxonomy
TopicsInfant Health and Development · Neuroscience of respiration and sleep · Respiratory and Cough-Related Research
