At what age do breath-holding spells most commonly occur?

Breath-holding spells are commonly seen in young children, particularly between the ages of 12 to 18 months. During this developmental stage, children often experience strong emotions such as anger or frustration, which can trigger these spells. Typically, when a child experiences a breath-holding spell, they may cry out, become upset, or experience a sudden change in breathing pattern, where they might hold their breath and sometimes become cyanotic or lose consciousness briefly.

This occurrence is generally related to the child's emotional state and their developing control over their respiratory system. After about 18 months, children tend to develop better emotional regulation and coping strategies, leading to a decrease in the frequency of breath-holding spells. Hence, the age range of 12 to 18 months is characterized as the peak period for these episodes.

As children grow older, especially beyond 2-3 years, the presence of breath-holding spells decreases significantly, making the age group of 12-18 months the most commonly affected.