Ask a doctor on the topic of Other questions to doctors

Funny spells, help

July 26, 2011 | 10,00 EUR | answered by Christian Welsch

My daughter (9 months old) has had about 5-7 strange episodes since her birth. They occurred at different places, different times, and without warning or any particular trigger. She suddenly starts rubbing her nose, her eyes become very red, and she struggles to breathe. This lasts for about 2-3 minutes and then everything is back to normal. She is fine afterwards. It doesn't matter if we stay in the same place or not. No one can help me, but I am afraid that it might be something serious. I should also mention that about 6 years ago I was diagnosed with cancer (neuroblastoma in the final stage), but now everything has been fine for 4 years. I also have chronic asthma and a pollen allergy, and my daughter's father has an allergy to animal hair. Can you help?

Christian Welsch

Dear patient,

You should have your child examined by an ENT doctor once. It doesn't have to be anything serious, allergies are unlikely in such small children. Often it is mucus build-up, which sounds louder and more dramatic to the layman due to the much smaller airways in an infant.
If your child is otherwise thriving and taking in food normally, a malformation of the airways seems unlikely to me.

What do the doctors say about this?
Are there any other signs of severe breathing difficulties such as blue lips or temporary unconsciousness?
What examinations have been done?

Sincerely,
C.Welsch