Children Fainting

[megthewonderful]

Twice in the last week, my 16 month old fainted after getting upset. We took her to the emergency room last weekend the first time it happened. Then it happened again yesterday. Each time she is only out for a few seconds, but at her age, it is terrifying to watch. The doctor at the ER told us that fainting is common in young children, but I have never heard of this. She checked out fine at the ER, but I think I should make an appointment with our pediatrician to discuss this. Am I being too worrisome or should I be concerned? Anyone have experience with his. I am also worried that this could happen when I am not nearby to catch her and she could really hit her head hard on the ground.

 

[aaronlisar]

I am a nurse and I have never heard of this being common in young children. I would call her ped Monday morning and she what they say.

I hope everything checks out fine with your little one.

 

[Magic Mom]

I have never heard of that (of course that doesn't really mean anything). If it were my child though, you can bet I'd make an appointment with the ped, especially since its happened twice. And I'm not the kind of mom that rushes her kids off to the doc for every sniffle either.

 

[chirurgeon]

I have never heard of this either. Was the ER dr. a pediatrician? I would definitely make an appointment with your own dr.

Kim

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Is this happening a long time after she eats?

When blood sugar gets low, it makes you irritable first (upset) and if it gets really bad, you can pass out. I remember passing out once around that age, and it was because I hadn't eaten anything in a long time.


And no, I've never considered fainting - at any age - to be common!

(And no, I'm not a doctor either.)

 

[frndofpooh]

My friend's son fainted frequently when he would see blood. He'd scrape his knee or get a cut (or see someone else with one) and would just pass out for a few seconds! This was when he was between 2 and 6 - he outgrew it.

 

[DaisyD]

I would have had him at the ped after the first fainting episode. I'm surprised the ER doctor didn't tell you to go to the ped first thing after seeing you the first time.

 

[EveDallas]

I used to baby sit a little boy who would pass out every time he would really upset. His mother told me that his doctor said it was common in young children. Scared the you-know-what out of me though....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have a fainter. It is my 11yodd.

She has had an MRI, Echocardiogram, EEG.

First thing you want to do it get to a cardiologist to rule out heart issues. That is KEY. Do not let them sway from this.

EEG was to rule out seizures. MRI was for overall.

I have a dd with a repaired heart defect, my oldest who is 17. Fainting can be a sign of a heart issue.

So, in the end they just call it "vasal vagal" reponse to stress.

As of now she cannot ride any "rides" due to her condition.

She almost fainted at the eye doctors 2 weeks ago. It is unnerving, but we are better at dealing with it.

 

[punkin]

I fainted as a child-they found a heart murmur. Please don't let this go.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I fainted as a child-they found a heart murmur. Please don't let this go.

And OP...DO NOT let your ped listen and say...."I don't hear anything"...

Let me tell you as a parent with a child WITH a SERIOUS repaired heart defect it is just flipping scary to realize that you need a trained cardiologist ear to listen to the heart. As well as an echocardiogram to confirm.

That is vital you get that test. If your ped tries to squelch it, INSIST that you want to get it to be on the safe side.

For example.....my oldest had her gallbladder out almost a year ago. Now her repaired defect is like a blaring siren if a good nurse, ped, etc...listens.
When she was going for triage before surgery, the nurse says..."I don't hear anything".

Go to your ped to rule out other stuff like diabetes, etc... then make an appt with a cardiologist.

 

[DisneyCampers]

My DD used to faint as a small child when she would get upset. Dr told me it is normal and than I worked in a peds unit as a nurse and found out it does happen all the time. Still took my DD to every Spec. and Ped. just to be safe.

 

[lewdyan1]

So, in the end they just call it "vasal vagal" reponse to stress.

My niece was diagnosed with this two days ago. Please follow through with a cardiologist!

 

[Feralpeg]

My friends little boy used to faint when he was upset. He would hold his breath until he passed out. It didn't take long. As soon as he passed out, he'd start breathing normally again. The doctor said he would grow out of it. He did.

 

[Kim in TN]

Ds would faint often when first adopted, he was diagnosed with low iron, it took about 2 years to get his iron level to a more normal level, then he stopped fainting.
Best of wishes to your little one.

 

[lovepurple]

My daughter used to faint every time she would get upset as well. We took her to various doctors and there was nothing wrong with her. Apparently when she would cry, for some reason she would hold her breath and pass out very quickly. I had babysitters that would refuse to watch her because of this. It was very scary to watch. It almost looked like she was having a seizure. It went on for several years and she did outgrow it.

 

[megthewonderful]

My DD used to faint as a small child when she would get upset. Dr told me it is normal and than I worked in a peds unit as a nurse and found out it does happen all the time. Still took my DD to every Spec. and Ped. just to be safe.

I called my pediatrician and spoke to a nurse after the first time and she assured me it is common. But now that it's happened twice in a week, I am going to make an appointment with the doctor. The nurse told me exactly what the ER doc told me, but I still feel uncomfortable about it.

It seems as though whenever she cries, she holds her breath way too long and passes out. It's scary! Never happened until now either, which is why I am worried.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I called my pediatrician and spoke to a nurse after the first time and she assured me it is common. But now that it's happened twice in a week, I am going to make an appointment with the doctor. The nurse told me exactly what the ER doc told me, but I still feel uncomfortable about it.

It seems as though whenever she cries, she holds her breath way too long and passes out. It's scary! Never happened until now either, which is why I am worried.

You know just go to the cardio and get an echo so you can sleep at night. Also "because it is common" is not a diagnosis. ER docs/nurses are just for emergencies. Your own Ped is who you should see.

My 11yodd doesn't hold her breath, she hyperventilates. She has passed out in school & doctors offices many times. They love me.

 

[iamsorcerermickey]

Our DNephew used to do this also when he was younger. When he was upset hold his breath until he passed out. He did outgrow it though.

Common or not---I'd still have the doctor check to make sure nothing else was going on.

 

[megthewonderful]

Thanks everyone! I called my pediatrician this morning. They assured me that many kids hold their breath when upset and pass out for a few seconds. I am bringing her in just to be sure nothing else is going on. They did suggest that she is iron deficient, so they are going to start by checking that and go from there.