title: ["Loss of breath" as a cause of postoperative hypoxia and bradycardia in children submitted to tonsillectomy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The "shortness of breath" or "breathing interruption" crisis can be considered a cause of hypoxia in childhood. It is characterized by the presence of a triggering factor followed by weeping and apnea in expiration accompanied by cyanosis or pallor. The sequence of events may include bradycardia, loss of consciousness, abnormal postural toneand even asystole. A review of the literature revealed only two reports of postoperative apneacaused by "shortness of breath".
  
  
  METHODS
  This article describes the case of a child with a history of "shortness of breath" undiagnosed before the adenotonsillectomy, but that represented the cause of episodes of hypoxemia and bradycardia in the postoperative period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the "shortness of breath" crisis should be considered as a possible cause of perioperative hypoxia in children, especially when there is a history suggestive of this problem. As some events may be accompanied by bradycardia, loss of consciousness, abnormal postural tone and even asystole, observation in a hospital setting should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Electronic address: eduardo_moro@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Eduardo Toshiyuki
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Alexandre Palmeira
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Goulart
keywords: Apnea; Apneia; Bradicardia; Bradycardia; Child; Criança; Hipóxia; Hypoxia; Loss of breath; Perda de fôlego; Postanesthesia recovery; Recuperação pós‐anestésica