Petit Mal Seizure – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Absence seizures are short periods when a person suddenly loses awareness. They typically last a few seconds, during which the person may stare blankly. These seizures occur more frequently in children than in adults.
After the seizure ends, the person quickly returns to normal awareness. While absence seizures don’t usually cause physical harm, they can be dangerous if they happen during activities like driving or cycling.
Most children with absence seizures respond well to medication. Some may develop other seizure types as they grow, including:
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
- Myoclonic seizures
Many children stop having absence seizures by their teenage years.
Signs and Symptoms
Absence seizures typically appear as brief episodes where a person suddenly stops their activity and stares blankly. These episodes usually last about 10 seconds, though they can continue for up to 30 seconds.
After the seizure ends, the person typically feels normal with no confusion, headache, or drowsiness.
Common signs of absence seizures include:
- Sudden activity stoppage without falling
- Smacking of the lips
- Fluttering of the eyelids
- Chewing movements
- Rubbing fingers together
- Small movements in both hands
Most people don’t remember these episodes after they occur. However, if the seizure lasts longer, they might notice missing time. Some individuals experience multiple episodes each day, which can disrupt school performance or daily tasks.
These seizures often go unnoticed in children because they happen so quickly. The first sign parents or teachers might notice is a drop in learning ability.
Teachers might report that a child seems inattentive or appears to daydream frequently.
When to Get Medical Help
Call your child’s doctor if:
- You suspect your child might be having seizures
- Your child has epilepsy but shows signs of a new seizure type
- Seizures continue despite taking prescribed medication
Call emergency services (911) immediately if:
- You notice extended automatic behaviors lasting minutes or hours (like eating or moving without awareness)
- You observe prolonged confusion
- Any seizure lasts longer than five minutes
These situations could indicate a serious condition called status epilepticus that requires immediate medical attention.
Causes
Absence seizures often stem from genetic factors. These seizures happen when the brain’s electrical activity changes from its normal pattern.
During normal brain function, neurons (nerve cells) send electrical and chemical signals to each other through connections called synapses. In people with absence seizures, these electrical signals become disrupted.
The distinctive feature of an absence seizure is a repeating three-second electrical pattern in the brain. This abnormal pattern interrupts normal brain activity.
Neurotransmitters—the chemical messengers that help neurons communicate—may also have altered levels in people who experience seizures. These chemical imbalances can contribute to the brain’s unusual electrical activity.
Risk Factors
Children who experience absence seizures often share some common traits:
Age: Most cases occur in children aged 4 to 14 years old.
Gender: Girls have a higher chance of developing absence seizures than boys.
Family history: About 25% of children with absence seizures have a close family member who also experiences seizures.
These factors may help doctors identify children at higher risk, though having these risk factors doesn’t guarantee a child will develop absence seizures.
Complications
Most children will outgrow absence seizures. But some need lifelong antiseizure medication. Others may develop more serious seizures like generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Additional complications include:
- Learning difficulties
- Behavioral problems
- Social isolation
- Physical injury during seizures
These issues can affect a child’s development and quality of life. So, proper management is important.
