8 month old baby fainted in my arms and we don't know why

[newmomsue]

My 8 1/2 mnth baby girl fainted in my arms. She just woken up it was 6:30 am, had not eaten, not gagging, coughing or sick/feverish b4.She began to fuss and cry a little bit. I thought of teething pain but she would not take any medicine, turned her head away. As I walked with her I felt her start to go limp she went completely white and floppy. I believe she was blue around the mouth. She did not cry out as she was going limp. I laid her down with her head up on the armrest of the couch. I breathed into her mouth, she opened her eyes cried and tried to push me away. But before my eyes, she "faded" in front of me, it was as if she was trying to go into deep sleep mode. Again she went floppy so I breathed over her mouth and nose again, this happened at least 3 times, so every time I "left her alone she immediately tried to go "to sleep". We got her into the car (admittedly we did not lie her down completely flat, we were lifting her up) and again she went limp and her head lolled back. I had to stop the car to breathe into her. Finally my husband found us and we went to the hospital. She was very groggy and pale but seemed to be "awake" and breathing. By the time we went to the hospital she was herself again they checked her vitals, all were fine.  Blood oxygenation, pulse, pressure everything. Within the hour she also had an EKG and that was normal. The same day we did an EEG and that was normal. Next day doc did CAT25 blood works test - normal. We have since done an echo - normal. We had aheart monitor on her , awaiting results. IF all come out normal please why is she ok?

[Leilad2013]

A related discussion, Babies limp was started.

[amber3135]

A related discussion, Same problem was started.

[cheekymonkey15]

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[perla11]

A related discussion, is it okay for a 9 month old to faint? was started.

[melissavg]

my baby is 15 months old,  i was bathing him  and suddenly he seemed to have fallen a sleep or fainted I could not tell the difference, he was asleep (or unconscious) for 3 minutes, and then a little tired and upset. Important to say that he started walking 6 days ago, and since then he has not stopped moving, and gets less sleep. We took him to the doctor and a neurologist and apparently he is ok. Tomorrow we are taking him for an electroencephalogram,  the doctor said just to complete the examination because he looks ok,  
Thanks GOD!!! but eventhough the good news I am really concerned.
please advice!
Melissa

[hannahroo]

thanks so much i will tell her dr about this and maybe she can figure out thats whats going on with my child!
hannah

[bluewind95]

I recently got diagnosed with a kind of fainting syndrome that is non-life-threatening and could possibly be a bit like what the babies seem to be going through.

It's called neurocardiogenic syncope and it's basically caused by the vagal nerve malfunctioning, with no problems in the heart. You'd need to get a cardiologist to look at the babies (especially one who specializes in electrical problems of the heart) in order to check for this. It's not an extremely common problem and therefore it's rare that a general doctor will catch it. You can't blame them, though. The problem seems to be so many other things, that it's simply not easy to catch. Mine went undiagnosed for.... close to 20 years, I'd say. Well over 10, that's for sure.

[hannahroo]

i do believe that we need some better doctors in this world, my daughter had an episode yesterday and they said she could of fainted but dont know why. well i go to the er for answers not guesses and not know what is going on. she is my life and means the world to me. she will be 2 years old on the 28th of this month and what happened is she was standing up in the seat of the truck so i could bandage a cut she doesnt like bandaids, and she tilted her head and just doubled over and i picked her up put her in her car seat and she said mommy i choke. well she says that when she spits up or throws up so i looked in her mouth and nothing then i looked at her lips and they were turning blue and her whole body was sheet white, and she was absolutly non responsive for about 5 mins as we were rushing her to the er. her breathing would speed up and stop for a few seconds. #1 worst day of my life! well they did tons of tests and nothing but a diagnosis of fainting with uncertain cause. so they sent her home today she still doesnt look like all her color is back, but is talking up a storm and playing and laughing. Or children mean the world to us someone needs to explain what is happening and what will happen! if anyone knows whats going on please email me at hannah_hollaway***@****
thanks Hannah!

[hana007]

last week my 8month old boy had a spell where his eyes rolled, he went totally white, lifeless like a dolly and started vomiting.  It lasted about an hour untill he was totally back to his normal self.  Since then I have seen 3 doctors, 2 of which said bad tummy bug?? 3rd said possibly vasovagal syndrome.  This basically means it can happen anytime anywhere depending on what triggers it for him. I have read about it on the net and it seems to be drop in heart rate and blood pressure which can be brought on by pain, fear, etc.  Does anyone know anymore about it and if it can be life threatening?? Many thanks, Hana.      

[Annabel1]

My 15 month daughter fainted after falling the other day & has previously looked like she was going to,as her eyes start shutting,her beathing almost stops & she goes limp. The Doctor I saw today seemed to think it`s nothing to worry about. It`s terrifing! most of you mums seem so very brave! I`m just waiting for it to happen again & I`m pregnant with three weeks till I drop i could do without the stress. Sould I be worried?
Annabel

[momtofourboys]

my 4 year old has done this. have her checked out by a cardiologist. it could be cardiac related. my son's is his HR drops. he goes very limp/passed out. yes he does turn blue. he is out for about 3 minutes. I don't breathe for him as he is doing this on his own. his heart rate goes anywhere from 110 down to 48 or his Hr could be 199 down to 47. the first time he did it he had been sitting then he got up and just took his time coming down the bleechers at my oldest son's school there was only 6 stairs. and I checked his pulse with his machine and then when he passed out I did the same thing.
I understand that a EKG was done however sometihmes things have to be happening at that very moment in order to catch it or ask for a echo.
Also with an EEG some seizure have to be happening while you are having the EEG in order for them to "catch" it on it
I understand how scared you are, as well as the rest of us that have repied.
I want to wish you the best of luck
michelle

[Angela7950]

My 22 month old had a similar couple episodes.  The first time, he was kind of pouty and came to me while I was sitting on the couch.  His head went way back, his back arched back and he went stiff.  I pulled him in my lap and his eyes closed in my arms.  As I called for help, his eyes opened and he looked as if he'd seen a ghost.  Then 5 weeks later, he was playing and hurt himself, he started crying and then was crying so hard that he stopped breathing (you know where you say, "ok, breath!").  But he didnt start breathing and again, in my arms, went stiff and faded in my arms.  This time with a blueish face.  I immediately checked his airway and while putting my index finger in his mouth to sweep, he started crying.  The worst feeling EVER.  In talking with others, I first thought, he was doing this on purpose or just without control.  Holding his breath and then passing out.  My doctor has even dismissed it after one EEG.  But now, having heard others stories, I'm beginning to think its more serious.  I'm not going to pass it off as a temper tantrum.  A friends daughter has found to have a problem with her vega nerve.  I'm looking up more info to take to the doctor with me.  Just curious if your children have had any more episodes.

[momof2littleones]

My 15 month old recently in the past week fainted 2 times after falling. She was upset and crying, then cried loudly and then fainted.  It was terrifying b/c she was in my arms both times.  The CAT scan was normal, now we awat the EEG results, hopefully tomorrow.  Any reason for this???, I'm unsure. Anyone have any ideas, feel free to email me. Thanks!

[schunnemunk]

I have the same problem with my 20 month old.  This tends to run in my husbands family.  It freaks me out.  He will cry and hold his breath til he turns blue in the face.  My pediatrician says it's normal.  I don't think so.  I plan on going to a neurologist.  What happens if he doesn't catch his breath one day?

[chikvero]

just as some advice, my pediatrician suggests lying my son on his back whenever he passes out. since his passing out is due to not enough oxygen and blood to the brain, this will help get it there more quickly.

my son's story is this: he's 17mos. old and his first fainting spell was 7 mos ago. he's passed out 5x overall. his doc says he's holding his breath on purpose to get attention. as much as i hate that answer, all the tests we've run back it up. it does happen any time he's very upset. he will cry with much vigor and one of the loudest cries will go on so long that he does not take another breath until after he passes out. i just want to be certain that it is nothing else more serious contributing to this. any suggestions?

[helpcalifornia]

so far he has not done it

[helpcalifornia]

My son will be 8 months in 5 days.  A few days ago I noticed that he was blinking his eyes slower than normal (happened one time).  But that went away.  Than he blinked one and and than the other (one time).  And now for the past two days he has been rolling his eyes up a few times a day.  I did not think it was a big deal.  But, It lasts only 2 seconds and it does not interrupt what he is doing.  I noticed it only happens in the morning when he is excited.  He did it when he woke up from a nap, after swimming class 2x and when I got him in the car.  I took him to the Doc and she said to observe him for a few days.  If it persists to go to a neurologist.  Could any of this be normal?  Or does it sound like something serious?  The doc said his physical exam looked good.

[hab1807]

Sorry to hear your story.  Mine is quite similar.  My 6 month old son projectile vomitted in the car a month ago, I unstrapped him and tried to keep his airway clear.  As he kept vomitting, I felt his body go limp in my arms, he turned grey and his breathing slowed, almost stopping.  He had a viral infection a month earlier, and had been having some bowel problems since then. He had been constipated, so with the vomitting I was sure he had a bowel obstuction and was fading in my arms.  The hospital rans tests, all were normal.  3 days later my pediatrician put him on meds for a reflux.  2 days after that, another vomitting episode and the color change, limpness, and apnea.  Again we were hospitalized, had tests, were diagnosed with GERD, given some meds and sent home.  I immediately called my ped, for a GI consult.  He ordered more tests and agreed with the reflux diagnosis. 3 1/2 weeks later, he is constipated again, and irritable.  My pediatrician ordered a barium enema this past Tuesday.  As the test was almost over, my son went limp again, turned grey and was lethargic.  I am a RN, so I understand about vagal responses, but when it's your own child, it's frightening.  The GI believes he has a reflux and possibly a food allergy, he is referring us to a neurologist.  I will keep you posted.  Let me know what you find out. Good luck.

Heather

[Dana72]

Hi,

My baby just had an episode like the one you described. She is 9 month old. Test results did not show anything being wrong, but I am very concerned. What happened to your baby? How is she now?

Dana

[MilanMiller]

Have they done and MRI or a CT Scan?  They could help determine if there are any neurological problems.

[nickan]

What was the outcome of your issue?  Our baby seems to have the same problems your baby had in 2006

[Scottydog]

We just got home from the hospital and have completed the EEG.  Unfortunatly we were sent home with no answers, as the EEG came back as perfectly fine.  We were advised to react the same way again should this event happen.  Our little guy is fine and acting normal and energetic even after 8 days in the hospital.  Please let us know if there is any one else out there that was able to get some answers.

[Scottydog]

The same thing just happend to my 6 month old son on Thursday.  His 1st day resembeled a complete seizure, but he also had repeat incidents on Friday & Sunday closer to the fainting spells.  The 1st 2 times he needed reviving, but the 3rd he was already in the hospital and seemed to recover quickly while the doctors were there.  Bloodwork & a CT scan have all showed normal and he responds as an energetic baby.  He is scheduled for an EEG on Tuesday, but I doubt they will find anything there.  The Doctor suspects reflux causing a vagal disorder.  Hopefully this is an answer and there is medication to prevent future events of this.  Hope all goes well with your child.

[newmomsue]

Hi There

We are taking a "refresher course" This Saturday! Though we have taken a general CPR course (9 months ago) only one segment dealt with infants. I am going to ask the instructor to
focus on infants and dealing with seizures, syncope etc. I think I need to know more about how what to look for to help me distinguish what anybody may be experiencing ie checking the pulse, breathing etc.

Thank you for your post!

BTW the last of the heart test came back normal! Great news! STill of course have to monitor her, do another EEG and take necessary precautions...