Medium urgency
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It a type of seizure which lasts for a few seconds, in which there is a sudden loss of consciousness without loss of muscle tone.
It has been attributed to genetic factors.
The typical symptom is a disconnection from surroundings, the patient stops doing what they were doing and may present with movements of the lips. It is often confused with a lack of attention in class.
Diagnosis is clinical, through clinical questioning and physical examination. It is confirmed by electroencephalography, which studies the electric waves of the brain.
Anticonvulsant medication should be initiated early in patients who suffer repeated seizures. This type of epilepsy usually disappears spontaneously without leaving any sequelae before puberty.
- 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
Dr. Patricia Sánchez
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