What is an Absence Seizure?

According to the Mayo Clinic, absence seizures, (also called petit mal seizures) are common in children, though adults can experience them as well. When someone is having an absence seizure it appears as if they are staring out in space or daydreaming. They briefly lose consciousness, but they don't have the large body movements associated with grand mal seizures. ^{1, 2, 7}

Common movements and symptoms during a petit mal seizure may include: staring off into space; lip/mouth movements; hand movement; arm movement (either in one or both arms); chewing; and fluttering of the eyelids. These symptoms only last a few seconds, so it can be easy to miss them. ⁷

People who experience the seizures have no memory of them. They can experience up to hundreds of them a day, which can cause learning disabilities and difficulty completing tasks. ^1,2

Medical attention should be sought for absence seizures, even if they don't appear to be disrupting the affected person's life. Medications are available to control or reduce these seizures.

If an absence seizure lasts for more than a few seconds, and if the person performs activities without being aware (routines, such as eating or dressing) it could indicate that the person has a more serious condition, called absence status epilepticus. This condition requires medical attention immediately. Absence seizures that last for several minutes also merit a doctor's attention.^1,3

People with absence seizures may need to be supervised when bathing and should be supervised when swimming due to the risk of drowning. Adults with these seizures may not be able to drive or operate certain types of machinery. ³

To diagnose these seizures, a doctor may order an EEG and/or an MRI. The EEG is used to try to watch a seizure as it happens. The doctor may have the person do certain activities in the hopes of causing a seizure. An MRI or other brain imaging technique may be used to rule out other possible problems, such as a stroke, that may be causing the symptoms. ⁵

These seizures are often caused by abnormal neuron activity in the brain, though they may also be caused by abnormal neurotransmitter activity. Common anti-seizure medications used to treat petit mal seizures are: Zarontin (ethosuximide), valproic acid (Depakene) and lamotrigine (Lamictal), according to the Mayo Clinic. ⁴

Sources:

¹Epilepsy, http://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/basics/faqs.htm
² Definition, http://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/basics/faqs.htm
³Complications, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/petit-mal-seizure/DS00216/DSECTION=complications
⁴Causes, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/petit-mal-seizure/DS00216/DSECTION=causes
⁵Tests and Diagnosis, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/petit-mal-seizure/DS00216/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis
⁶ Treatments and Drugs, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/petit-mal-seizure/DS00216/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
⁷Symptoms, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/petit-mal-seizure/DS00216/DSECTION=symptoms