A newborn baby starts crying. Why does a child roll up when crying and turn blue? What kind of beast

- an inevitable phenomenon. Kids are not yet able to adequately express their condition, so in this way they express dissatisfaction, fear, anger and other strong emotions. From a behavioral point of view, this phenomenon is more or less understandable, but it happens that a somatic component is connected to it and the child rolls up and even turns blue when crying, which extremely frightens the parents. Such attacks in medicine are called affective-respiratory paroxysms; they consist of holding the breath at the height of exhalation and the inability to inhale for some time.

Why does a child roll up when crying?

Rolling ups are nothing more than early manifestations of hysterical attacks and fainting. They occur in babies in the first or second years of life and, as a rule, go away by eight. Sometimes parents perceive this as some kind of theatrical scene played out by the child in an attempt to manipulate adults, however, this is not so. It is impossible to simulate an affective respiratory attack; it is of a reflex nature and with strong crying the child actually “rolls over” and sometimes even loses consciousness. Stopping breathing lasts no more than 30-60 seconds, which is enough to change the color of the skin.

A child rolls up when crying - reasons

Children who are irritable, hyperactive, capricious and easily excitable are most prone to affective-respiratory paroxysms. An attack can be triggered by severe stress, anger, and even discomfort such as hunger or excessive fatigue. Sometimes the parents themselves stimulate the occurrence of such attacks - if you constantly protect the child from disorders, allow him everything, then the slightest refusal can cause such an overly violent reaction.

If the frequency and nature of reactions bothers parents, then perhaps a neurologist will be able to answer the question of why the child rolls up when he cries after conducting a series of studies. You should not put off visiting a doctor, because according to some reports affective-respiratory seizures can develop into epileptic ones.

What to do when a child rolls up?

The first thing parents should do when a child has a seizure is to pull themselves together and not panic. Paroxysm can be stopped by external actions; to do this, it is enough to pat the child on the cheeks, sprinkle water or blow on his face - this will restore the correct breathing reflex.

It is important not to delay and stop the attack at the initial stage. After normal breathing resumes, the baby needs to be distracted and calmed.

Of course, the main concern in the life of any parent is the health of their children. The period up to 1-1.6 years is the most worrisome, because the child still cannot even really show where it hurts and what bothers him. The new mother closely monitors any deviations in the condition and behavior of the baby: a high temperature has risen; there is excessive pulsation or retraction of the fontanel; the child rolls up and turns blue; moves little and sleeps almost all the time. Here is a far from complete list of those symptoms that should sow the seed of anxiety and prompt action immediately. If the manifestations of a cold are commonplace and familiar to many, then unexpected holding of breath in children can plunge anyone into shock.

In medicine, this phenomenon is clearly defined and is called affective-respiratory attacks. They are characteristic of children in the first year of life and have a very long-lasting character, up to 3 years. An attack occurs when almost all the air leaves the lungs of a crying child, he seems to freeze with his mouth open and does not utter a single sound. The catalyst is all kinds of emotions, which can be difficult for a child to cope with and all this results in early seizures and fainting.

Affective-respiratory attacks are divided into two groups: pale and blue. The former are identified as consequences of pain resulting from a fall or an injection. The inability to feel the pulse, a short-term delay in heartbeat, and fainting are the companions of pale affective-respiratory attacks.

More frequent in their manifestations are the so-called blue attacks. This is nothing more than a hysterical expression of discontent, a desire to get what is required at any cost with the help of strong crying and screaming, in which the child rolls up and turns blue, losing all control over his condition.

In the best case, this ends with the fact that after some time the child takes a breath and continues to cry. At worst, the attack is prolonged. As a result, two extremes emerge: muscle relaxation or, conversely, due to excessive tension, the child bends like an arc. Such attacks are dangerous because they can eventually transform into epileptic seizures.

“It is easier to prevent than to cure” is an axiom known to everyone. But what to do when an attack occurs and the child rolls up and turns blue before your eyes? The most effective way is to direct a stream of air into the child’s face or spray him with water, bringing breathing back to normal. Light taps on the cheeks can also revive the baby. If the attack has progressed to a more severe stage and acquired epileptic features, place the child on his side in case the tongue sinks or vomits. The most important thing is, when it’s all over, don’t forget to caress and hug him and, of course, consult a doctor for qualified advice.

Yesterday I almost went grey. It was terrible. Yarushka found the TV remote control and pulled it into his mouth, I took the remote control away, which apparently upset the child madly... he immediately started crying, my husband and I didn’t even have time to do anything (usually a baby doesn’t behave this way, he can of course be naughty, but not so) and literally in a couple of seconds the crying disappeared, the mouth was open, the child began to turn blue before our eyes. God, it was just a nightmare. I started shaking it, my husband snatched it from my hands, turned it face down, and started hitting it on the back (as they do when a child has choked). I ran to the phone to dial 03. By the way, miraculously it turned out to be “busy”... and I heard one short cough... I run into the room, there is silence, my husband is standing with his back to me, there is a completely limp child in his arms, I see how the arms and legs are hanging completely limply, the head is the color of INK... silence. I start howling. God, I don’t wish this on anyone! The husband rushes to the window, throws it wide open and leans out waist-deep with Yarushka in his arms. I shout “Alive??!!!”, my husband does not answer, he is in insane shock... I see that his face turns pale, the blueness recedes.

We'll go see a neurologist on Tuesday. I found a good article by Komarovsky. Maybe it will be useful to someone.

Affective-respiratory attacks (attacks of breath holding) are the earliest manifestation of fainting or hysterical attacks. The word "affect" means a strong, poorly controlled emotion. "Respiratory" is something that has to do with the respiratory system. Attacks usually appear at the end of the first year of life and can continue until 2-3 years of age. Although holding their breath may seem deliberate, children usually do not do it on purpose. This is simply a reflex that occurs when a crying child forcefully exhales almost all the air from his lungs. At this moment he falls silent, his mouth is open, but not a single sound comes from it. Most often, these breath-holding episodes do not last more than 30-60 seconds and pass after the child catches his breath and starts screaming again.

Sometimes affective-respiratory attacks can be divided into 2 types - “blue” and “pale”.

“Pale” affective-respiratory attacks are most often a reaction to pain from a fall or an injection. When you try to feel and count the pulse during such an attack, it disappears for a few seconds. “Pale” affective-respiratory attacks, according to the mechanism of development, are close to fainting. Subsequently, some children with such attacks (paroxysms) develop fainting states.

However, most often affective-respiratory attacks develop according to the “blue” type. They are an expression of dissatisfaction, unfulfilled desire, anger. If you refuse to fulfill his demands, achieve what you want, or attract attention, the child begins to cry and scream. Intermittent deep breathing stops on inhalation, and slight cyanosis appears. In mild cases, breathing is restored within a few seconds and the child’s condition returns to normal. Such attacks are superficially similar to laryngospasm - a spasm of the muscles of the larynx. Sometimes the attack drags on somewhat, and either a sharp decrease in muscle tone develops - the child “goes limp” in the mother’s arms, or tonic muscle tension occurs and the child arches.

Affective-respiratory attacks are observed in children who are excitable, irritable, and capricious. They are a type of hysterical attack. More “ordinary” hysteria in young children is characterized by a primitive motor reaction of protest: when desires are not fulfilled, the child falls to the floor in order to achieve his goal: he randomly hits the floor with his arms and legs, screams, cries and demonstrates his indignation and rage in every possible way. This “motor storm” of protest reveals some features of hysterical attacks of older children.

After 3-4 years of age, a child with breath-holding or hysterical reactions may continue to have hysterical attacks or have other character problems. However, there are ways that can help you prevent the dreaded two-year-olds from turning into the dreaded twelve-year-olds.

Principles of proper education of a small child with respiratory-affective and hysterical attacks. Seizure prevention

Attacks of irritation are quite normal for other children, and indeed for people of all ages. We all experience bouts of irritation and rage. We never get rid of them completely. However, as adults, we try to be more restrained when expressing our dissatisfaction. Two-year-old children are more frank and direct. They are simply venting their rage.

Your role as parents of children with hysterical and respiratory-affective attacks is to teach children to control their rage, to help them master the ability to restrain themselves.

In the formation and maintenance of paroxysms, the incorrect attitude of parents towards the child and his reactions sometimes plays a certain role. If a child is protected in every possible way from the slightest upset - everything is allowed to him and all his demands are fulfilled - so long as the child does not get upset - then the consequences of such upbringing for the child’s character can ruin his entire future life. In addition, with such improper upbringing, children with attacks of breath holding may develop hysterical attacks.

Proper upbringing in all cases provides for a uniform attitude of all family members towards the child - so that he does not use family disagreements to satisfy all his desires. It is not advisable to overprotect your child. It is advisable to place the child in preschool institutions (nursery, kindergarten), where attacks usually do not recur. If the appearance of affective-respiratory attacks was a reaction to placement in a nursery or kindergarten, on the contrary, it is necessary to temporarily remove the child from the children's group and re-assign him there only after appropriate preparation with the help of an experienced pediatric neurologist.

The reluctance to follow the child’s lead does not exclude the use of some “flexible” psychological techniques to prevent attacks:

1. Anticipate and avoid flare-ups.

Children are more likely to burst into crying and screaming when they are tired, hungry or feel rushed. If you can anticipate such moments in advance, you will be able to circumvent them. You can, for example, avoid the hassle of waiting in line at the cashier at the grocery store by simply not shopping when your child is hungry. A child who gets irritable during the rush to get to nursery during the morning rush hour, when parents are also going to work and an older sibling is going to school, should get up half an hour earlier or, conversely, later - when the house is calmer . Recognize difficult moments in your child's life and you will be able to prevent attacks of irritation.

2. Switch from the stop command to the forward command.

Young children are more likely to respond to a parent's request to do something, called "go" commands, than to listen to a request to stop doing something. So if your child is screaming and crying, ask him to come to you instead of telling him to stop screaming. In this case, he will be more willing to fulfill the request.

3. Tell the child his emotional state.

A two-year-old child may be unable to verbalize (or simply acknowledge) his feelings of rage. In order for him to control his emotions, you should give them a specific name. Without making a judgment about his emotions, try to reflect the feelings the child is experiencing, for example: “Maybe you are angry because you didn’t get the cake.” Then make it clear to him that despite his feelings, there are certain limits to his behavior. Tell him, “Even though you are angry, you should not yell and scream in the store.” This will help the child understand that there are certain situations in which such behavior is not acceptable.

4. Tell your child the truth about consequences.

When talking to young children, it is often helpful to explain the consequences of their behavior. Explain everything very simply: “You have no control over your behavior and we will not allow it. If you continue, you will have to go to your room.”

Convulsions during respiratory-affective attacks

When a child’s consciousness is impaired during the most severe and prolonged affective-respiratory attacks, the attack may be accompanied by convulsions. The cramps are tonic - muscle tension is noted - the body seems to become stiff, sometimes arches. Less commonly, during respiratory-affective attacks, clonic convulsions are observed - in the form of twitching. Clonic convulsions are less common and are then usually observed against the background of tonic convulsions (tonic-clonic convulsions). Cramps may be accompanied by involuntary urination. After convulsions, breathing resumes.

In the presence of seizures, difficulties may arise in the differential diagnosis of respiratory-affective paroxysms with epileptic seizures. In addition, in a certain percentage of cases, children with affective-respiratory convulsions may subsequently develop epileptic paroxysms (attacks). Some neurological diseases can also cause such respiratory affective attacks. In connection with all these reasons, to clarify the nature of the paroxysms and prescribe the correct treatment, every child with respiratory-affective attacks should be examined by an experienced pediatric neurologist.

What to do during a breath-holding attack

If you are one of those parents whose child holds their breath in a fit of rage, be sure to take a deep breath yourself and then remember this: Holding your breath almost never causes harm.

During an affective-respiratory attack, you can use any influence (blow on the child, pat the cheeks, tickle, etc.) to promote the reflex restoration of breathing.

Intervene early. It is much easier to stop a rage attack when it has just begun than when it is in full swing. Young children can often be distracted. Get them interested in something, say a toy or other form of entertainment. Even such a simple attempt as tickling sometimes brings results.

If the attack drags on and is accompanied by prolonged general relaxation or convulsions, place the child on a flat surface and turn his head to the sides so that he does not suffocate if he vomits. Read in detail my recommendations “HOW TO HELP DURING AN ATTACK OF SEIZURES OR CHANGES IN CONSCIOUSNESS”

After an attack, reassure and reassure your child if he does not understand what happened. Reemphasize the need for good behavior. Don't retreat just because you want to avoid repeat breath-holding episodes.

Kids don't always understand how to correctly express their emotions, so they throw tantrums. But if, with strong crying, the child rolls up and turns blue, then with this behavior he scares the parents. Let's look at the reasons why the baby behaves this way.

Why does the child roll up?

Such attacks occur during periods of strong emotional overexcitation, if the baby has disorders of the nervous system or diseases of the respiratory system, heart, and blood vessels. This condition is called affective-respiratory paroxysm (ARP). During an attack, the child stops breathing for 30 to 60 seconds. Such children are prone to fainting.

If a child rolls while crying, he needs help.

Seizures also appear after injuries and falls of the child from a height.

Rolling appears in children under three years of age, but can continue up to eight years. The reasons are as follows:

1. Character traits. Hyperactive, easily excitable and capricious children are prone to ARP.
2. Parenting manners. If parents protect their child from stress and frustration and allow the baby to do whatever he wants, then the prohibition will provoke anger and an attack.
3. Emotional overexcitement. Fear, anger, stress and even hunger provoke an attack.

A neurologist can determine the exact cause after examining the baby.

In severe cases, during an attack the muscles tense, then the baby bends in the shape of an arc. Without help, ARP turns into an epileptic seizure.

What to do if a child rolls up while crying?

Rolling up is a reflex. If the child cries too much, he or she may lose consciousness. During an attack, parents need to act like this:

1. Calm down yourself, don’t yell at the child and don’t get nervous.
2. To restore breathing, splash water on your face or pat your baby's cheeks.
3. Distract your child after he begins to breathe normally.
4. If cramps appear during rolling, turn the baby on his side so that he does not suffocate.

The whims of a baby are an inevitable manifestation. Due to their age, small children cannot talk about their condition, and therefore they show fear, indignation, irritation and all sorts of other powerful feelings.

Strong tearfulness and unusual emotional behavior can also be accompanied by somatic manifestations; in medicine they are called affective-respiratory paroxysms. Parents see their child roll up while crying and turn blue.

Why does a child roll up when crying?

These attacks can appear in children from birth and disappear by age 8. Often, fathers and mothers are imbued with the idea that the baby is pranking them, trying to gain something for themselves, but this is not so. It is impossible to act out an affective-respiratory attack; it manifests itself reflexively, and with very strong crying, the child “rolls up,” turns blue and may lose consciousness. The baby can remain without breathing for up to 1 minute, which entails the development of skin cyanosis.

A child rolls up when crying: reasons

Unfortunately, the baby’s parents themselves provoke the occurrence of these attacks - they try to protect the child from any difficulties and grief, they rush to allow the baby anything he wants, and then any refusal on the part of the parents is perceived by the baby as a tragedy, and the child breaks down crying.

• excitable;
• overactive;
• hot-tempered;
• wayward kids.

A stress factor, severe resentment, malnutrition, or overwork can cause such an attack in a child. If a child rolls up when crying, then it is advisable to visit a neurologist. Sometimes such attacks can develop into epileptic ones.

How to distinguish affective-respiratory paroxysm from epilepsy and other pathologies?

With normal manifestations of affective-respiratory attacks, there is no need for additional tests. When a child rolls up while crying and this is accompanied by any health problems, the doctor may suspect epileptic manifestations. This behavior can also be caused by the phenomenon of closed craniocerebral injury, stroke.

It is possible that neurological symptoms manifest themselves in diseases of bronchial asthma, when foreign bodies enter the respiratory tract, or overdose of drugs.

Affective-respiratory manifestations have no connection with epileptic seizures and go away on their own. They do not pose any threat to the baby's life.

Most children with this problem have a low hemoglobin level and low iron content in a general blood test. Treatment with iron supplements reduces anemia and promotes the baby’s recovery.

What to do when a child rolls up while crying and turns blue?

The main thing in this case is not to be scared, hug and kiss the child, you can blow on his face, sprinkle water, lightly pat his cheeks, try to get his breathing restored, and then calm him down and switch his attention.

If a child rolls up and loses consciousness, you need to:

• lay it on its side;
• fix the tongue to avoid suffocation when the tongue retracts or possible vomiting;
• urgently call an ambulance.

The most important role that parents have is to pay attention and care for their children. Timely contacting doctors and preventing the occurrence of these paroxysmal manifestations is caring for the health of your baby.