Can a child outgrow absence seizures?
About 65% of children with childhood absence epilepsy do outgrow their seizures and are able to stop taking medication. The chance that the seizures will be outgrown is lower in those who have: learning problems.
How do I know if my child is having absence seizures?
Signs of an absence seizure During an absence seizure, your child may stare blankly or even stop talking mid-sentence. They may flutter their eyelids or make a smacking sound with their lips. In most cases, they won’t fall to the ground.
What can trigger an absence seizure?
Seizures result from overactivity in the brain. Absence seizures occur most often in people under age 20, usually in children ages 4 to 12. In some cases, the seizures are triggered by flashing lights or when the person breathes faster and more deeply than usual (hyperventilates).
Are absence seizures something to worry about?
If you think your child may be having absence seizures, talk to your child’s doctor about your concerns right away. Absence seizures may be confused with other types of seizures. That’s another reason why it’s so important that your child see a doctor for a correct diagnosis.
What triggers absence seizures in kids?
Many children appear to have a genetic predisposition to absence seizures. In general, seizures are caused by abnormal electrical impulses from nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. The brain’s nerve cells normally send electrical and chemical signals across the synapses that connect them.
How do you stop absence seizures?
Here are other steps you might take to help with seizure control:
- Take medication correctly. Don’t adjust the dosage before talking to your doctor.
- Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can trigger seizures.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet.
- Ask your doctor about driving or recreation restrictions.
Do absence seizures show on EEG?
An EEG is a test most often used to diagnose absence seizures. This test records the brain’s electrical activity and spots any abnormalities that could indicate an absence seizure.
What do I do if my child has an absence seizure?
First-line medications (seizure medicines that are most helpful) include ethosuximide, valproic acid and lamotrigine. In most cases, these provide effective seizure control. In a recent study, ethosuximide (Zarontin) was shown to be the first drug of choice to treat absence seizures.
What is the best treatment for absence seizures?
Absence seizures are treated with antiseizure medications. Ethosuximide (Zarontin®) is the preferred medication to treat absence seizures. Other medications that your healthcare provider might try include valproate (Depakene®), lamotrigine (Lamictal®) and topiramate (Topamax®).
What causes childhood absence epilepsy?
Causes. Childhood absence epilepsy is a type of epilepsy. The seizures associated with epilepsy occur as a result of uncontrollable bursts of electrical activity in the brain. The underlying cause of the condition is generally genetic, though environmental factors may contribute to its onset in some cases.
Can absence seizures cause behavior problems?
Although many of the mental health and behavioral problems associated with epilepsy are also seen in people without epilepsy, they occur more frequently in those who have the disorder.
Do absence seizures get worse over time?
Children with absence seizures often outgrow the condition. Absence seizures can continue, however. Some people progress to longer or more intense seizures.
How to spot absence seizures in your child?
– Appearing motionless – Staring blankly at walls or other objects – Lip smacking – Fluttering eyelids – Abruptly stopping a conversation – Sudden hand movements
Why are absence seizures bad for a child or adult?
Falling. If you fall during a seizure,you can injure your head or break a bone.
Do children ever grow out of absence seizures?
Absence seizures usually occur in children between ages 4 to 14. A child may have 10, 50, or even 100 absence seizures in a given day and they may go unnoticed. Most children who have typical absence seizures are otherwise normal. However, absence seizures can get in the way of learning and affect concentration at school.
What to do when your child has a seizure?
Stay Calm. This is easier said than done.