Childhood Absence Epilepsy

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Pyknolepsy and petit mal epilepsy are other names given to childhood absence epilepsy. During childhood absence epilepsy seizures child is unaware about what happened. Frequency of occurring seizure is about 1 to 100 times within single day and mostly during exercise. It occurs in normal children having age between 4 to 10 years and major in 5 to 7 years age. It is mostly occur in girls than in boys. There are 50% more chances of having generalized tonic clonic seizure to child who is having absence epilepsy. Child may roll eyes upwards, the lids may flicker and automatisms also possible. Generally it last for 10-20 seconds but sometime continue for few more seconds. It may be genetic.

What are the symptoms of Childhood absence epilepsy?

• Staring spells, unconsciousness are major symptoms of childhood absence epilepsy.
  
• Eye blinking, rolling eyeballs in upward direction and sometime sudden loss of body tone may occur during childhood absence epilepsy.
  
• When seizure occur child stop their body movements.
  
• Because of repetitive occurrence of seizure concentration and learning ability of child may decreased.

Tests and diagnosis for Childhood absence epilepsy

• Typical absence seizures and atypical absence seizures should be distinguished during diagnosis of Childhood absence epilepsy.
  
• Complete neurological examination is done by doctor that includes blood and other physical test.
  
• Last step is electroencephalogram (EEG) in which brain activity of children is checked. Child having Childhood absence epilepsy shows typical 3Hz combination of spike and wave complexes.
  
• In some cases MRI and CT scan are also done.

What is the treatment for Childhood absence epilepsy?

1. If occurrence of seizure is rare then no treatment is required. For frequently reoccurring seizures treatment is given for two years.
   
2. Lamictal (lamotrigine) is very effective for treating Childhood absence epilepsy with little side effect.
   
3. Medicine such as Zarontin and Depakote are used in treatment. It may take as individually or in combination. Depakote is more helpful because it treat both absence as well as tonic clonic seizure.
   
4. Acetazolamide, benzodiazepines or some antiepileptic drugs such as leviteracetam, topiramae and zonisamide are also helpful medicines for seizures.
   
5. Carbamazepine, vigabatrin, tiagabine and phenytoin are avoided because it may make seizure worst.