Type of seizure that lasts for a few seconds, in which there is a sudden loss of consciousness without loss of muscle tone. It usually affects children and teenagers; its mean age of onset is 6 years old.
It has been attributed to genetic factors.
The typical symptom is an abrupt disconnection from their surroundings. They stop carrying out what they were doing at the moment, and lip movement may be present. It is often confused with a lack of attention in class.
Diagnosis is clinical, through a questioning and a physical examination. It is confirmed with an electroencephalography, which studies the neuro-electric waves.
Anticonvulsant medication should be initiated early in patients who suffer from repeated seizures. This type of epilepsy usually disappears spontaneously before puberty without sequelae.
- Christian M Korff. Childhood absence epilepsy. UpToDate, Septiembre 2016
- Medina M. Childhood absence epilepsy. In: Epileptic syndromes in infancy, childhood and adolescence, 5th, Bureau, 2012. p.277.
- Hernandez CC. The GABRA6 mutation, R46W, associated with childhood absence epilepsy, alters 6β22 and 6β2 GABA(A) receptor channel gating and expression. J Physiol 2011; 589:5857.
- Daniel H. Lowenstein. Convulsiones y epilepsia. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 445.
- J. J. Zarranz Imirizaldu. Epilepsias. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna, ed 18. Capítulo 168
