Petit mal seizures, sometimes called staring or absence seizures, most commonly occur in children. According to Mayoclinic.com, the person may look as if he is staring off into space for a few minutes. While this may not seem dangerous, children in a bath or pool can face serious consequences if they suffer from a petit mal seizure. If your child has petit mal seizures, talk to his doctor about treatment options.
Symptoms
UMM.edu states that they most often occur in people under the age of 20, typically in children between six and 12. The staring spell may only last a few seconds; the person may stop talking or walking and pick back up right where she left off a few moments later. UMM.edu states that the child usually does not fall and her brain is fully functioning after the seizure. Absence seizures may be the only type of seizure your child suffers from, or they can be accompanied by others like tonic-clonic seizures, twitches or jerks or sudden loss of muscle strength.
Causes
Unfortunately, doctors and researchers do not know exactly what causes petit mal seizures, although some children seem to predisposed to them. Mayoclinic.com says that generally seizures stem from abnormal nerve cell activity in the brain. Electrical and chemical signaling may become crossed, and some seizures are associated with repetitions of signals. In the case of absence seizures, states the website, signals are repeated in a three second pattern. Because neurons and chemicals in the brain are a possible cause, medications that affect specific neurotransmitters or cell function are used to treat seizures. According to mayoclinic.com, your child's doctor should begin with low doses of medications. It may also be possible that your child will outgrow his need for the medications.
Zarontin
According to Mayoclinic.com, Zarontin is the most commonly prescribed medication for epilepsy. Drugs.com states it can be used alone or in conjunction with other medications to treat petit mal seizures in children and adults. This drug may cause decreases in levels of white and red blood cells and platelets, and it can also cause liver damage. Talk to your child's doctor about the safety and effectiveness of this medication.
Valproic Acid
Another treatment medication your doctor may recommend is valproic acid. This medication is thought to work by affecting levels of gamma aminobutyric acid, or GABA, levels in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps the body maintain calm. Also used in bipolar disorder and migraine treatments, this medication has many side effects. Talk to your child's doctor about this medication.
Lamictal
Another anti-convulsant, Lamictal may be recommended for your child's seizure disorder. It should not be used in children under two years of age, states Drugs.com, and it too can be used alone or in combination with another medication. It may interact with other medications, so talk to your child's doctor before using.
