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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns of absence seizures include:
- Staring, without unusual movement
- Lip smacking
- Fluttering eyelids
- Chewing
- Hand movements
- Small movements of both arms
Absence seizures last only a few seconds. Full recovery is almost instantaneous. Afterward, there is no confusion, but also no memory of the incident. Some people experience hundreds of these episodes each day, which interferes with their performance at school or work.
Children who are walking or doing other complex tasks during a seizure probably won't fall, though they'll be unaware.
Absence seizures may occur for some time before an adult notices them, because they're so brief. A noticeable decline in a child's learning ability may be the first sign of this disorder. Teachers also may comment about a child's inability to pay attention.
When to see a doctor
Most of the time, no first aid is necessary for an absence seizure. Contact your doctor if it's the first time you've noticed a seizure or if a new type of seizure occurs. People who have absence seizures can also experience other types of seizures.
Seek immediate medical attention if you observe automatic behaviors — performing such activities as eating or moving without being aware of it — or prolonged confusion. These can be a symptom of a dangerous condition called absence status epilepticus. Additionally, any seizure lasting more than five minutes requires immediate medical attention.
- Absence seizures (also called petit mal). The Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/types/seizureabsence.cfm?renderforprint=1&. Accessed April 24, 2009.
- Ropper AH, et al. Epilepsy and other seizure disorders. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical Pub. Division; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3632229. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Seizures and epilepsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm?css=print. Accessed April 24, 2009.
- Stafstrom CE, et al. Pathophysiology of seizures and epilepsy. http://www.uptodate.com/index/home.html. Accessed April 17, 2009.
- Magnati R, et al. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2008; 12:572.
- Seizure disorders. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec16/ch214/ch214a.html. April 26, 2009.
- Elger CE. Modern management of epilepsy: A practical approach. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2008;12:501.
- Practice Parameter update: Management issues for women with epilepsy — Focus on pregnancy (an evidence based review): Teratogenesis and perinatal outcomes. St. Paul, Minn.: American Academy of Neurology. http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/WNL.0b013e3181a6b312v1. Accessed April 27, 2009.
