The study wanted to examine the scope of breath holding spells on children and their families. A total of 95 children were enrolled and followed over a nine year period. Here is what they found:

1. even distribution between sexes
2. median onset was 6-12 months, 15% presenting < 6 months
3. typically spells occurred weekly, 30% had 1 or more spells a day
4. peak frequency was around 12 to 18 months, range from 6 months to 4 years
5. if spells stopped for >12 months, the last spell was at 37 to 42 years
6. if spells continued, the latest age was 7 years old
7. positive family history seen in 34% of families, equally distributed between moms and dads

Summary taken from Pediatrics February 2001

For those of you wondering the overall prevalence of breath holding spells it is 0.1 to 4.6% of all children, and has a strong genetic predisposition. It is typically seen as a pale or blue child after a crying spell and is usually induced by an emotional insult. That is why the peak is at 12 to 18 months when temper tantrums are at their height.

As we all know, it may take some children longer than others to control their "tempers." Sometimes this is a function of temperament and sometimes it is a function of modeled tempers. Remember they learn conflict resolution from us.

They may have a genetic predisposition for a passionate response that leads to breath holding spells, but as time goes on they learn to control their anger and passion with their conscious mind. This lesson is easier to learn if they can imitate our own conflict resolution skills.

What happens when we don't model good conflict resolution skills? Answer. Take it to the Lord. He says in the psalms to meditate upon your bed when you are angry, and not to sin in your anger. Why mediate? Because when we don't sort out where our thoughts begin and our emotions end, we will act on emotions and not thoughts. When we stop and think about our anger we realize that anger from the past, and fears of the present are motivating us to action, instead of love. When we stop and ponder our anger we realize our anger will only lead to destruction of those we love.

Breath holding spells are a normal part of childhood that occurs in a certain percentage of our kids, true. Uncontrolled anger is an epidemic in the Church and the world that should not be. So ask the Lord this week "am I doing all out of love? Am I loving as you loved me Lord?"