What Causes Severe Epileptic Seizures in Children to Transition into Absence Seizures? What Are the Effects, and What Should Be Done?

Question

What causes severe epileptic seizures in children to transition into absence seizures? What are the effects, and what should be done? Thank you.

Answer

Hello, absence seizures in children are closely related to genetic factors, manifesting as an intermittent spike-slow wave complex EEG at a rate of 3 spikes per second. It is determined genetically as an autosomal dominant inheritance. Patients mainly exhibit absence-like symptoms such as loss of consciousness, myoclonic seizures, and weakness. This condition is more common in girls aged 5 to 12, characterized by sudden onset of brief loss of consciousness lasting about 2 to 20 seconds, without drowsiness afterward. It is necessary to undergo examination at a regular hospital (this answer is from Beijing Huahe Hospital).