Petit mal seizure

Alternative names:

absence seizure; seizure - absence; seizure - petit mal

Symptoms:

TYPICAL

• muscle activity changes:
  • no movement
  • hand fumbling
  • fluttering eyelids
  • lip smacking
  • chewing

• consciousness changes
  • staring episodes (unintentional)
  • lack of awareness of surroundings
  • sudden halt in conscious activity (movement, talking, etc.)
  • may be provoked by hyperventilation in some cases
  • abrupt beginning of seizure
  • each seizure lasts only seconds
  • full recovery of consciousness, no confusion

• no memory of seizure

ATYPICAL

• atonic seizure
  • no muscle movement
  • slumping, loss of posture
  • loss of muscle tone
  • falling down

• consciousness changes
  • unintentional staring
  • lack of awareness of surroundings
  • sudden stop of conscious activity (movement, talking, etc.)
  • hand fumbling
  • fluttering eyelids
  • may be provoked by hyperventilation in some cases
  • may have slower, gradual beginning of seizure
  • each lasts only seconds to minutes
  • recovery may be slower
  • may have short period of confusion

• no memory of seizure

Note: Unexplained difficulties in school and learning difficulties may be the first indication of petit mal seizures.

Signs and tests:

A physical examination is usually normal, although with atypical petit mal seizures, some neurologic abnormalities may be present along with the seizures.

A single EEG (electroencephalograph) or multiple EEG exams may show changes typical of petit mal seizures. "Atypical absence" shows a different EEG pattern. Various laboratory tests, skull X-rays, a head CT scan or a head MRI may be used to rule out specific causes of the seizures.