Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Absence Epilepsy, Paediatric
Absence Epilepsy, Pediatric
Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical and chemical activity in the brain. This activity temporarily interrupts normal brain function. Having repeated seizures over time is called epilepsy.
Absence epilepsy, also called absence seizure, is a common type of epilepsy in childhood. It is most frequently associated with your child having staring spells and brief periods of unresponsiveness. Because staring spells are often mistaken as signs of daydreaming, the epilepsy may not be recognized for months or even years.
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Typical. In this type, staring spells may be triggered by something that causes fast breathing, such as an emotional reaction or exercise. It is not triggered by smells or seeing certain things. These spells are not associated with any shaking of arms or legs, or with the body suddenly going limp (losing tone), which may cause a fall.
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Atypical. In this type, your child’s staring spells may happen more gradually and be less obvious. He or she may be able to continue doing an activity but less well than usual. Your child may also slowly lose tone and make slight jerking movements. This type of epilepsy often affects children with limited mental ability (intellectual disability).
Absence epilepsy does not cause injury to your child’s brain. Children with this condition develop normally but may have problems in reading and language skills, social skills, and problem-solving. Most children outgrow absence epilepsy by their mid-teen years.
What are the causes?
In many cases, this condition is caused by abnormal genes (gene mutations) that have been passed along from parent to child (inherited).
What increases the risk?
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Is between the ages of 4 and 10 years old.
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Is female.
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Has a family history of epilepsy.
What are the signs or symptoms?
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A staring spell. Your child may stop an activity or conversation when this occurs. Staring spells come on suddenly, usually happen often, and can last about 10 seconds.
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Being very still.
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Lack of response when called or touched. Your child may continue a simple activity, such as walking, but will not be responsive.
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Loss of attention and awareness.
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Fluttering eyelids.
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Lip smacking or making chewing movements.
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Hand movements, or slight jerking movements.
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Have no knowledge of the seizure.
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Be fully alert.
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Resume his or her activity or conversation.
Children with absence epilepsy may have problems in school. They may miss information in their classes because of seizures.
How is this diagnosed?
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An electroencephalogram, or EEG. This tests electrical activity in the brain.
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An MRI scan of the brain. This test examines the structure of the brain.
How is this treated?
Treatment for this condition depends on how often the condition occurs and its severity. If seizures do not happen often, treatment may not be needed. If seizures happen often or are interfering with your child’s daily life, including school, an anti-seizure medicine (anticonvulsant) will be prescribed. The dose may need to be adjusted over time.
Your child’s healthcare provider may recommend giving your child foods that are low in carbohydrates and high in fat (ketogenic diet). This helps your child’s body produce substances (ketones) that may help to prevent seizures.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
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Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as instructed by your child’s healthcare provider.
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Do not let your child stop taking medicines or start new medicines unless approved by your child’s healthcare provider.
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Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye’s syndrome.
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General instructions
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Tell those who care for your child, such as teachers and coaches, about your child’s seizures.
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If your child is having trouble learning, get help from tutors and learning specialists to support your child.
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Watch your child closely when he or she is doing activities that could put him or her at risk during a seizure, such as bathing, swimming, and rock climbing.
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Keep all follow-up appointments as instructed by your child’s healthcare provider. This is important.
Contact a healthcare provider if:
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Your child’s seizures occur more often than before.
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Your child has a new kind of seizure.
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You think your child has side effects from the prescribed medicine. Side effects may include feeling drowsy or loss of balance.
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Your child has problems with coordination.
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Your child is having learning problems at school.
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Your child is having behaviour problems.
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Your child is having problems with interacting with others.
Get help right away if:
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Your child has a seizure that lasts for longer than 5 minutes.
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Your child has prolonged confusion.
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Your child develops a rash after starting medicines.
These symptoms may represent a serious problem, which is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services.
Summary
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Absence epilepsy, also called absence seizure, is a common type of epilepsy in childhood.
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Absence epilepsy can be typical or atypical depending on the symptoms.
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The main symptom of this condition is having a seizure.
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The seizure may cause a staring spell, lip smacking, fluttering eyelids, or other symptoms.
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Treatment for this condition depends on the frequency and severity of the condition. If seizures do not happen often, treatment may not be needed.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
