What is a common risk for epileptic seizures during late infancy to early childhood?
OverviewAbsence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They're more common in children than in adults. Show
Someone having an absence seizure may look like he or she is staring blankly into space for a few seconds. Then, there is a quick return to a normal level of alertness. This type of seizure usually doesn't lead to physical injury. Absence seizures usually can be controlled with anti-seizure medications. Some children who have them also develop other seizures. Many children outgrow absence seizures in their teens. SymptomsAn indication of simple absence seizure is a vacant stare, which may be mistaken for a lapse in attention that lasts about 10 seconds, though it may last as long as 20 seconds, without any confusion, headache or drowsiness afterward. Signs and symptoms of absence seizures include:
Afterward, there's no memory of the incident. Some people have many episodes daily, which interfere with school or daily activities. A child may have absence seizures for some time before an adult notices the seizures, because they're so brief. A decline in a child's learning ability may be the first sign of this disorder. Teachers may comment about a child's inability to pay attention or that a child is often daydreaming. When to see a doctorContact your doctor:
Contact 911 or emergency services in your area:
Get the latest epilepsy information from Mayo Clinic delivered to your inbox.Subscribe for free and receive the latest on epilepsy treatment, care and management. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information, and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesMany 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. In people who have seizures, the brain's usual electrical activity is altered. During an absence seizure, these electrical signals repeat themselves over and over in a three-second pattern. People who have seizures may also have altered levels of the chemical messengers that help the nerve cells communicate with one another (neurotransmitters). Risk factorsCertain factors are common to children who have absence seizures, including:
ComplicationsWhile most children outgrow absence seizures, some:
Other complications can include:
Feb. 24, 2021 SummaryRead the full fact sheet
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Support groupsFrom other websitesContent disclaimerContent on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. What is the most common cause of seizures in infants and children?The most common type of seizure in children is from a fever (called a febrile seizure). Other causes include infections, low blood sodium, medicines, drug use (amphetamines or cocaine), brain injury or a tumor, and genetic changes. Sometimes, a seizure's cause is never found.
What are the most common risk factors for epilepsy?Risk factors. Age. The onset of epilepsy is most common in children and older adults, but the condition can occur at any age.. Family history. ... . Head injuries. ... . Stroke and other vascular diseases. ... . Dementia. ... . Brain infections. ... . Seizures in childhood.. What is the risk of developing epilepsy?About 1 in 100 people in the U.S. has had a single unprovoked seizure or has been diagnosed with epilepsy. 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. People with certain conditions may be at greater risk.
What is the most common problem that may affect a child with epilepsy?Approximately 50 percent of children with epilepsy have some form of learning difficulty. The functions most often influenced by epilepsy are speech and language, attention, memory, and executive functioning. Anticonvulsant medications can sometimes affect cognitive function but are generally very well tolerated.
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