Causative & risk factors
The exact cause is not known in most cases. Genetic predisposition is noted in many patients.
Clinical presentation
Absence seizures may present as ‘typical absence seizures’ or ‘atypical absence seizures’.
Typical absence seizures are commonly observed in children. The seizure starts suddenly and usually lasts between 10 and 30 seconds. Person suddenly stops whatever he is doing and appears to daydream. Physical movements like fumbling of hands, fluttering of eyelids, smacking of lips or chewing motions may be present. After seizure person becomes absolutely normal. Seizures can recur infrequently or several times per hour.
Atypical absence seizures may continue into adulthood. The seizure begins slowly and lasts for a few minutes. The patient may slump or fall down. He may be confused for some time after the seizure passes away.
Investigations
The doctor will first elicit a detailed history of the previous seizures. This will be followed up by an electroencephalogram (EEG) and a brain MRI scan.
Treatment
In most cases children outgrow absence seizures especially if the seizures developed before age 9. Anti-seizure drugs are prescribed to prevent the recurrence of seizures.
Recent updates
Recent research work has identified a defect in the brain-circuit defect triggers absence seizures.
