Living with Childhood absence epilepsy
A childhood seizure condition with brief staring spells where a child is not aware of what is going on around them.
Understanding Childhood absence epilepsy
It usually begins between ages 3 and 8. During an absence seizure, a child is not aware of or responding to people around them. Seizures last several seconds and can happen up to 200 times a day. In most people the seizures go away in the teen years. Some continue into adulthood or develop other seizure types.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Brief staring spells (typical absence seizures)
- Not responding during a seizure
- Paleness (pallor)
- Trouble paying attention
- Seizures with fever, in some children before onset
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists, genetic specialists and seizure and epilepsy specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Epilepsy Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Seizure and epilepsy specialists (epileptologist)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Epilepsy Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Child Neurology Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says changes in genes cause this condition. It is listed as autosomal dominant, which means one changed copy of a gene can be enough to cause it.
Also known as: cae - childhood absence epilepsy; early onset absence epilepsy; pyknolepsy
Patient organizations
- Child Neurology FoundationChildhood absence epilepsy · United States
- Epilepsy FoundationEpilepsy · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Childhood absence epilepsy.
Explore research for Childhood absence epilepsy
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