What percentage of children experiences breath-holding spells?

Breath-holding spells are episodes where a child temporarily stops breathing, often due to emotional distress such as anger or frustration, or as a reaction to pain. It is estimated that around 5% of children experience these spells at some point in their early childhood, typically between the ages of 6 months to 6 years. This prevalence is significant enough that healthcare providers should recognize and understand these episodes as a common occurrence among young children, rather than a sign of a more serious medical issue.

The other percentages suggest higher occurrences, which are not consistent with the established understanding of breath-holding spells in the pediatric population. Therefore, 5% reflects the most accurate estimation of how many children are affected.