Absence crisis in children: causes, symptoms, consequences and treatment

Absence seizures are sudden episodes in which there is a loss of consciousness with some characteristics that can last between 10 and 20 seconds. They are more common in children than in adults. Normally, children who have absence seizures usually stop having them during their adolescence, but they can also last into adulthood. They usually start in children between 4 and 12 years old.

Children with absence seizures often have other types of seizures as well, which can lead to muscle wasting and spasms. In this Psychology-Online article, we explain everything you need to know about Absence crisis in children: causes, symptoms, consequences and treatment.

Index

1. Symptoms of absence seizures in children
2. Causes of self-absorption in children
3. Are childhood absences cured?
4. What can I do if my child has an absence crisis?
5. Absence crisis in children: consequences

When we see children experiencing absence crisis, it may seem that they are

• Children who have an absence crisis stop their activity and then resume it when the crisis has stopped without knowing that the crisis has occurred, that is, they continue as if nothing had happened.
• Fluttering eyelids
• Mouth movements such as clicking or chewing
• Stillness

Some experts believe that absence seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the child's brain. These irregularities they change the electrical transmissions of neurons and can cause repetition of the signals. Absence seizures can also occur due to hyperventilation (rapid breathing) or flashing lights.

The absence crises they are hereditary. Many children with absence seizures have a family history with the same type of seizure. Children who have a sibling with an absence crisis are more likely to present them as well.

Absence seizures usually have a good prognosis, but require treatment. Depending on the severity of the absence seizures, the specialist will assess the dose and what type of medication to prescribe:

• Ethosuximide: it is the most common drug for absence seizures
• Valproic acid: can be used in children in some cases
• Lamotriginia: It is not very effective for absence seizures, but it is sometimes prescribed because it has fewer side effects. Other medications can be Acetazolamide, Clonazepam, and Epilim.

Many children stop having absence seizures when they get older, but they are more likely to have other types of seizures. Approximately 10% of children with absence seizures suffer another type of seizure in their adolescence. Some children with these crises may develop behavior problems, learning difficulties, or school isolation.

This is why it is important that parents can help their children to manage crises, some tips that can help you:

• Talk to their teachers to help them understand what is happening to your child and thus outline the steps to take to control possible absence crises that may occur during school hours
• Changes in the Lifestyle such as adequate sleep, physical activities, a healthy diet, and being outdoors can also help. Stress and lack of sleep could be triggers for seizures.
• If your child is having an absence crisis you should not scream, he can't hear you
• If you are not sure if he is having a seizure or is just clueless, touch him gently to check
• During the crisis there is nothing else to do

Absence seizures can complicate a child's life due to the sudden appearance of it, but with these changes in lifestyle and medication, it is possible to cope better.

Absence crises have a significant impact on the quality of life of the child, especially in cases in which the children have other Developmental disorders. The episode of unconsciousness can occur at any time and generally without warning.

Affected children must take precautions to avoid injury during seizures and are sometimes unable to perform activities that would put them risk in the event of a crisis (for example, climbing to high places, swimming unsupervised, or biking through places crowded). School teachers and caregivers are often the first to notice recurring episodes of absence seizures and treatment is usually started due to the negative impact on the learning. In general, an absence seizure is not harmful unless an injury occurs when falling, status epilepticus develops, or some other type of illness develops. disorder of consciousness.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Absence crisis in children: causes, symptoms, consequences and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Neurological disorders.