Absence seizures, also known as petit mal seizures, in children refer to a brief episode of electrical activity in the brain for about 15 seconds. The child may appear to be staring out into space. According to Medline plus, mostly children aged 6 to 12 years experience absence seizures.
Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of absence seizures include lip smacking, staring without any movement, chewing, moving eyelids and hand movements. Children recover after a few seconds and have no memory of what occurred.
Frequency
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, absence seizures can occur 50 to 100 times daily. Sometimes, this can go undiscovered for months and even years.
Cause
The Mayo Clinic states that there is no clear cause of absence seizures. Family history can play a role in a child developing absence seizures.
Diagnosis
Tests called an electroencephalography (EEG) and brain scan diagnose absence seizures. According to the Mayo Clinic, an EEG measures the electrical activity in your brain. A brain scan like an MRI looks at close images of your brain to rule out other medical conditions such as a brain tumor.
Treatment
The first line of treatment for absence seizures is a medication called ethoximide. Valproic acid and lamotrigine are other available medications. These medications serve to decrease the occurrence of absence seizures.
