Absence Seizure (petit mal) affecting child, Symptoms and Treatment

   Tweet   

---

Absence seizure is previously known as petit mal and it is type of generalized seizures .Absence seizure results in loss of consciousness for short period of time and immediate recovery happen. Absence seizure is also associated with staring into space, repetitive eye blinking, eye rolling and movements of arms. Absence seizure is very gentle and generally lasting only for few seconds. Around 50 to 100 attacks in a day may experienced by patient. Nearly 25% people having absence seizure develop grand mal seizures. It is occur in children and stop by age 18.Sometimes absence and complex partial seizures can be confused but they have distinct differences. Rate of causing absence seizure is slightly higher in female than male.

Atypical absence seizures-Child having other neurological problems such as mental retardation usually shows atypical absence seizures. The atypical absence seizure usually lasts five to 10 seconds and may show symptoms such as eyelid twitching, automatisms, or the child may fall down.

What are the symptoms of absence seizure?

• Learning ability, concentration of child is decreased to remarkable extend.
• Patient is unaware of incident but there is no confusion after recovery.
• Staring into space, loss of consciousness, jerking movements, and blinking of the eyes are the sign of absence seizure.
• Emotional expressions are absent during seizure.
• When absence seizure arise child stops what he/she is doing.

What are the causes of absence seizure?

• Hyperventilation may be responsible to cause absence seizure.
  Strong lights, stress, nervousness, uncomfortable situations may generate absence seizures.
• Benzodiazepines, withdrawal of alcohol, and other sedatives is also a common cause for absence seizures.
• Along with other seizure such as generalized tonic-clonic seizures, myoclonus, or atonic seizures absence seizure may occur.
• Tests and diagnosis for absence seizure
• Blood tests are carried out to find out chemical imbalance or presence of toxic substance.
• Brain scan
• Electroencephalography (EEG).

How to get rid of absence seizure?

A dose of Acetazolamide, ethosuximide, lamotrigine, or sodium valproate drugs are mostly used having little side effect. Absence seizures can usually be controlled with anti-seizure medications and it is generally continues for next two years.