Absence seizure (petit mal seizure)
Definition:
Absence seizure — also known as petit mal — involves a brief, sudden lapse of consciousness. Absence seizures are more common in children than adults. Someone having an absence seizure may look like he or she is staring into space for a few seconds.
Compared with other types of epileptic seizures, absence seizures appear mild. But they can be dangerous.
Children with a history of absence seizure must be supervised carefully while swimming or bathing because of the danger of drowning. Teens and adults may be restricted from driving and other potentially hazardous activities.
Absence seizures usually can be controlled with anti-seizure medications. Some children who have absence seizures also have grand mal seizures. Many children outgrow absence seizures in their teen years.
Symptoms:
Signs of absence seizures include:
Children who are walking or doing other complex tasks during a seizure probably won't fall, though they'll be unaware.
Absence seizures in a child may occur for some time before an adult notices them, because they're so brief. A noticeable decline in a child's learning ability may be the first sign of this disorder. Teachers may comment about a child's inability to pay attention.
When to see a doctor Contact your doctor:
If you observe prolonged automatic behaviors — activities such as eating or moving without awareness — or prolonged confusion, possible symptoms of a condition called absence status epilepticus.
2.After any seizure lasting more than five minutes
Causes:
Often, no underlying cause can be found for absence seizures. Many children appear to have a genetic predisposition to them. Sometimes hyperventilation can trigger an absence seizure.
In general, seizures are caused by abnormal nerve cell (neuron) activity in the brain.
The brain's nerve cells normally communicate with each other by sending electrical and chemical signals across the synapses that connect the cells. In people who have seizures, the brain's usual electrical activity is altered. During an absence seizure, these electrical signals repeat themselves over and over in a three-second pattern.
People who have seizures may also have altered levels of neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers that help the nerve cells communicate with one another.
This type of seizure may be more prevalent in children. Many children gradually outgrow absence seizures over months to years.
Complications:
While most children outgrow absence seizures, some people may find that they are:
Many medications can effectively eliminate absence seizures or reduce the number. Finding the right medication and dosage can be challenging, requiring a period of trial and error. Taking the medications on a regular schedule is crucial to maintaining proper drug levels in the blood.
Often, the first drug prescribed for absence seizures is ethosuximide (Zarontin).
However, other medications, such as valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor) and lamotrigine (Lamictal), also are effective at controlling seizures. Your doctor likely will start at the lowest dose possible and increase the dosage as needed to control the seizures. Most children can discontinue anti-seizure medications, under a doctor's supervision, after they've been seizure-free for two years.
The drug Lamictal has been linked to an increased risk of aseptic meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord that's similar to bacterial meningitis.
Women who need treatment for absence seizures are advised against using valproic acid while trying to conceive or during pregnancy, because the drug has been associated with higher risk of birth defects in babies. Women who can't achieve seizure control on any other medication need to discuss potential risks with their doctors.
Absence seizure — also known as petit mal — involves a brief, sudden lapse of consciousness. Absence seizures are more common in children than adults. Someone having an absence seizure may look like he or she is staring into space for a few seconds.
Compared with other types of epileptic seizures, absence seizures appear mild. But they can be dangerous.
Children with a history of absence seizure must be supervised carefully while swimming or bathing because of the danger of drowning. Teens and adults may be restricted from driving and other potentially hazardous activities.
Absence seizures usually can be controlled with anti-seizure medications. Some children who have absence seizures also have grand mal seizures. Many children outgrow absence seizures in their teen years.
Symptoms:
Signs of absence seizures include:
- Vacant stare
- Absence of motion without falling
- Lip smacking
- Eyelid flutters
- Chewing motions
- Hand movements
- Small movements of both arms
Children who are walking or doing other complex tasks during a seizure probably won't fall, though they'll be unaware.
Absence seizures in a child may occur for some time before an adult notices them, because they're so brief. A noticeable decline in a child's learning ability may be the first sign of this disorder. Teachers may comment about a child's inability to pay attention.
When to see a doctor Contact your doctor:
- The first time you notice a seizure
- If you have a new type of seizure
If you observe prolonged automatic behaviors — activities such as eating or moving without awareness — or prolonged confusion, possible symptoms of a condition called absence status epilepticus.
2.After any seizure lasting more than five minutes
Causes:
Often, no underlying cause can be found for absence seizures. Many children appear to have a genetic predisposition to them. Sometimes hyperventilation can trigger an absence seizure.
In general, seizures are caused by abnormal nerve cell (neuron) activity in the brain.
The brain's nerve cells normally communicate with each other by sending electrical and chemical signals across the synapses that connect the cells. In people who have seizures, the brain's usual electrical activity is altered. During an absence seizure, these electrical signals repeat themselves over and over in a three-second pattern.
People who have seizures may also have altered levels of neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers that help the nerve cells communicate with one another.
This type of seizure may be more prevalent in children. Many children gradually outgrow absence seizures over months to years.
Complications:
While most children outgrow absence seizures, some people may find that they are:
- Experiencing these types of seizures throughout life
- Eventually experiencing full convulsions (grand mal or generalized tonic-clonic seizures)
- Learning difficulties
- Absence status epilepticus, a condition in which seizure behavior lasts longer than a few minutes
Many medications can effectively eliminate absence seizures or reduce the number. Finding the right medication and dosage can be challenging, requiring a period of trial and error. Taking the medications on a regular schedule is crucial to maintaining proper drug levels in the blood.
Often, the first drug prescribed for absence seizures is ethosuximide (Zarontin).
However, other medications, such as valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor) and lamotrigine (Lamictal), also are effective at controlling seizures. Your doctor likely will start at the lowest dose possible and increase the dosage as needed to control the seizures. Most children can discontinue anti-seizure medications, under a doctor's supervision, after they've been seizure-free for two years.
The drug Lamictal has been linked to an increased risk of aseptic meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord that's similar to bacterial meningitis.
Women who need treatment for absence seizures are advised against using valproic acid while trying to conceive or during pregnancy, because the drug has been associated with higher risk of birth defects in babies. Women who can't achieve seizure control on any other medication need to discuss potential risks with their doctors.
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