Absence seizures do not involve convulsions or other body movements. Instead, an absence seizure will cause a brief break in awareness, perhaps with a short period of staring or blinking. Absence seizures are most common in children and often last just a few seconds.
Absence seizure
Description:
Usually begin between 3 to 13 years of age and usually stop during adolescence but may continue into adulthood
Rarely begin in adulthood
Blank, empty look on face, appears as if child is daydreaming or not paying attention
All activity suddenly stops, and restarts after seizure stops
No response to talking or touching
Sometimes blinking, fluttering, or trembling eyelids
Typically lasts up to 20 seconds, can happen many times a day
Generalized (in rare cases begins as focal)
Some possible causes:
Epilepsy (especially in children)
Psychological causes
Antiseizure medicines that may help (see Chapter 4):
Ethosuximide
Levetiracetam
Valproic acid
IMPORTANT! Do not use carbamazepine, it will worsen absence seizures.
After the seizure: Awareness and attention return, person will likely continue speaking or other activities where they had left off
