"Petit mal" redirects here. For the Colombian drama film, see Petit Mal.
It has been suggested that Childhood absence epilepsy be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2023.
Medical condition
Absence seizure
Other names
Petit mal seizures
Pronunciation
/ˈæbsənsˈsiːʒər/ or /ɑːbˈsɑːnsˈsiːʒər/
Specialty
Neurology
Absence seizures are one of several kinds of generalized seizures. In the past, absence epilepsy was referred to as "pyknolepsy," a term derived from the Greek word "pyknos," signifying "extremely frequent" or "grouped".[1] These seizures are sometimes referred to as petit mal seizures (from the French for "little illness", a term dated to the late 18th century);[2] however, usage of this terminology is no longer recommended.[1] Absence seizures are characterized by a brief loss and return of consciousness, generally not followed by a period of lethargy (i.e. without a notable postictal state). Absence seizures are most common in children. They affect both sides of the brain.[3][4]
Childhood absence epilepsy represents a significant portion, accounting for approximately 10 to 17%, of all cases of childhood-onset epilepsy, establishing it as the most common form of pediatric epilepsy. This syndrome is characterized by daily occurrences of frequent but brief episodes of staring spells. These episodes typically commence between the ages of 4 to 8 years and manifest in otherwise seemingly healthy children. On classic electroencephalograms (EEGs), distinct patterns emerge, featuring generalized spike-wave bursts occurring at a frequency of 3 Hz, accompanied by normal background brain activity. Despite sometimes being mistakenly perceived as a benign type of epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy is associated with varying rates of remission. Children affected by this condition often experience cognitive deficits and encounter enduring psychosocial challenges in the long term.[5]
^ abAlbuja, A. C., & Khan, G. Q. (2022). Absence Seizure. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
^Daly, D. D. (1968). "Reflections on the Concept of Petit Mal". Epilepsia. 9 (3): 175–8. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1157.1968.tb04618.x. PMID 4975023. S2CID 45169328.
Absenceseizures are one of several kinds of generalized seizures. In the past, absence epilepsy was referred to as "pyknolepsy," a term derived from...
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Generalized seizures can be either absenceseizures, myoclonic seizures, clonic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures or atonic seizures. Generalized seizures occur...
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period of a few hours up to a day or two. Absenceseizures do not produce a postictal state and some seizure types may have very brief postictal states...
nature and severity of the resulting seizures (ranging from brief absenceseizures to full tonic–clonic seizures). Many PSE patients experience an "aura"...
discharges (SWD) evocative of absenceseizures in Wistar rats during cortical electroencephalographic (EE) recordings. These seizures were recorded on both sides...
are useful for the prevention of seizures in those with absenceseizures, partial seizures, and generalized seizures. They can be given intravenously...
generalized-onset seizures and include both the idiopathic generalized epilepsies (specifically childhood absence epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy, juvenile...
alternative or adjuvant medication for partial seizures, such as absenceseizure, myoclonic seizure, and atonic seizures. A 2020 review on the use of lamotrigine...
or of types that do not involve contractions, such as absenceseizures or complex partial seizures. Status epilepticus is a life-threatening medical emergency...
phenytoin and valproate for focal and generalized seizures. It is not effective for absence or myoclonic seizures. Carbamazepine was discovered in 1953 by Swiss...
rhythms involved with the sleep-wakefulness cycle, ultimately causing absenceseizures and other forms of epileptic behavior. Burst firing within a part of...
the brand name Zarontin among others, is a medication used to treat absenceseizures. It may be used by itself or with other antiseizure medications such...
also characterized by generalized tonic–clonic seizures, and a minority of patients have absenceseizures. It was first described by Théodore Herpin in...
person they know has epilepsy, even if the seizures are controlled by medication. If the employee has a seizure while at work, they could harm themselves...
CACNA1G gene. It is one of the primary targets in the pharmacology of absenceseizure. Cav3.1 is a type of low-voltage-activated calcium channel, also known...
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