Absence seizures
(Petit mal)

Onset

• Very brief, lasting a few seconds.
• Patient suddenly lose consciousness without losing postural tone.

During the attack

• May stare and having twitching of eyelids.
• Do not respond to voice or other stimulations.
• Do not exhibit voluntary movement or lose continence.

After the attack

• Patient are able to resume their previous activities with no post-ictal symptoms.
• May be unaware of the attack.

About

• May occur very frequently (100 times a day). May impair school performance.
• May occur alone or with other seizures.
• Limited to school-age children. Usually resolves with maturity.
• Similar attacks in adults are more likely to be minor complex partial seizures.