What are absent seizures?

Absent seizures, also known as petit mal seizures, typical absence seizures, or simple absence seizures, are a type of epileptic seizure characterized by brief loss of awareness, with sudden onset and recovery. Absence seizures typically last for only a few seconds, often less than 10 seconds, and may occur multiple times a day.

Signs and symptoms of absent seizures include sudden blank staring, lack of response, and possibly eyelid flutter. During the seizure, people lose consciousness and awareness of the surroundings, and are unresponsive. There may be automatisms, where people make repetitive movements like hand rubbing, lip smacking, or head nodding.

Absent seizures are commonly experienced by children, and often begin between 4 and 12 years of age. Most children outgrow them by adolescence, but some may continue to experience them in adulthood.

Diagnosis of absent seizures is based on the individual's history and observation of seizures, as well as an electroencephalogram (EEG) which records the brain's electrical activity.

Treatment for absent seizures may involve medication, such as ethosuximide or valproic acid, to control seizures. In some cases, surgery or other therapies may be considered.