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Absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They're more common in children than in adults.
A person having an absence seizure may stare blankly into space for a few seconds. Then the person typically returns quickly to being alert. This type of seizure usually doesn't lead to physical injury. But injury can happen if someone is driving a car or riding a bike when the seizure happens.
Absence seizures usually can be managed with antiseizure medicines. Some children who have them also develop other seizures, such as generalized tonic-clonic seizures or myoclonic seizures. Many children outgrow absence seizures in their teens.
A simple absence seizure causes a vacant stare, which may be mistaken for a brief lapse in attention. The seizure lasts about 10 seconds, though it may last as long as 30 seconds. There's no confusion, headache or drowsiness after the seizure.
Symptoms of absence seizures include:
Afterward, there's usually no memory of the incident. But if the seizure is longer, the person may be aware of missed time. Some people have many episodes daily. When it happens, it can interfere with school or daily activities.
A child may have absence seizures for some time before an adult notices them. This is because the seizures are so brief. A decline in a child's learning ability may be the first sign of the seizure disorder. Teachers may say the child has trouble paying attention or that a child is often daydreaming.
Contact your child's pediatrician:
Contact 911 or emergency services in your area:
Absence seizures usually have a genetic cause.
In general, seizures occur as a result of a burst of electrical impulses from nerve cells in the brain, called neurons. Neurons typically send electrical and chemical signals across the synapses that connect them.
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 also may have altered levels of the chemical messengers that help the nerve cells communicate with one another. These chemical messengers are called neurotransmitters.
Certain factors are common to children who have absence seizures, including:
While most children outgrow absence seizures, some:
Other complications can include:
Your child's healthcare professional asks for a detailed description of the seizures and does a physical exam. Tests may include:
Electroencephalography (EEG). This painless procedure measures waves of electrical activity in the brain. Brain waves are transmitted to the EEG machine via small metal plates called electrodes that are attached to the scalp with paste or an elastic cap.
Rapid breathing, known as hyperventilation, during an EEG study can trigger an absence seizure. During a seizure, the pattern on the EEG differs from the typical pattern.
Your child's healthcare professional may start at the lowest dose of antiseizure medicine possible. Then the dose may be increased as needed to manage the seizures. Children may be able to taper off antiseizure medicines under the supervision of a healthcare professional after they've been seizure-free for two years.
Medicines prescribed for absence seizure include:
Valproic acid. Valproic acid treats children who have both absence and tonic-clonic seizures, also known as grand mal seizures. Side effects of valproic acid include nausea, attention problems, increased appetite and weight gain. Rarely, the medicine can cause inflammation of the pancreas and liver failure.
Females who continue to need medicine into adulthood need to talk about the potential risks of valproic acid with their healthcare professionals. Valproic acid has been linked to a higher risk of birth defects in babies. Healthcare professionals typically advise not using it during pregnancy or while trying to conceive.
A ketogenic diet can improve seizure control. This diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates. It's used only if traditional medicines don't manage seizures.
This diet isn't easy to maintain, but it's successful at reducing seizures for some people. Variations on a ketogenic diet also might provide benefit. These diets include the glycemic index and modified Atkins diets. Although these diets are less effective at managing seizures, they aren't as restrictive as the ketogenic diet.
Here are other steps that may help manage seizures:
If you or your child is living with a seizure disorder, you may feel anxious or stressed about the future. Stress can affect your mental health, so it's important to talk with a healthcare professional. Seek resources for help.
Your family members can provide much-needed support. Tell them what you know about your child's seizures. Let them know that they can ask you questions, and be open to conversations about their worries. Help them understand the condition by sharing any educational materials or other resources that your healthcare professional has given you.
Talk with your child's teachers and coaches about your child's seizure disorder. Explain how it affects your child at school. Discuss what your child might need if a seizure happens at school.
Remember, you don't have to go it alone. Reach out to family and friends. Ask your healthcare professional about local support groups or join an online support community. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Having a strong support system is important to living with any medical condition.
You're likely to start by seeing your child's healthcare professional. However, you'll probably be referred to a doctor who specializes in nervous system disorders, known as a neurologist.
Here's some information to help you get ready for the appointment.
Preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time during the appointment. For absence seizure, some basic questions to ask include:
Don't hesitate to ask any other questions you have.
Your child's healthcare professional is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as: