Atypical absence seizure
An atypical absence seizure is a type of generalized non-motor (absence) seizure characterized by interruption of ongoing activities and reduced responsiveness. In comparison to a typical absence seizure, changes in tone may be more pronounced, onset and/or cessation may be less abrupt, and the duration of the ictus and post-ictal recovery may be longer. Although not always available, an EEG often demonstrates slow (<3 Hz), irregular, generalized spike-wave activity.
Also called: Atypical absence, Atypical absence seizures, Atypical petit mal seizures.
Conditions associated with atypical absence seizure
The following conditions have been associated with atypical absence seizure in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
Angelman syndrome
Angelman syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Angelman syndrome due to paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 15
Angelman syndrome due to paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 15 is a medical condition that may be assoc...
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 122
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 122 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with spike-wave activation in sleep
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with spike-wave activation in sleep is a medical condition that may...
Dravet syndrome
Dravet syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Jeffries-Lakhani neurodevelopmental syndrome
Jeffries-Lakhani neurodevelopmental syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various sympto...
Lafora disease
Lafora disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Landau-Kleffner syndrome
Landau-Kleffner syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Lissencephaly due to LIS1 mutation
Lissencephaly due to LIS1 mutation is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sig...
Mowat-Wilson syndrome
Mowat-Wilson syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Mowat-Wilson syndrome due to a ZEB2 point mutation
Mowat-Wilson syndrome due to a ZEB2 point mutation is a medical condition that may be associated with various ...
Mowat-Wilson syndrome due to monosomy 2q22
Mowat-Wilson syndrome due to monosomy 2q22 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms...
PCDH19 clustering epilepsy
PCDH19 clustering epilepsy is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes
Self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes is a medical condition that may be associated with various sy...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 114
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 114 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 120
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 120 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 91
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 91 is a medical condition that may be associated with various sympt...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, 31A
Any developmental and epileptic encephalopathy in which the cause of the disease is a heterozygous mutation in...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, 74
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, 74 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
epilepsy, idiopathic generalized, susceptibility to, 9
Any generalized epilepsy in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the CACNB4 gene....
focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and neurodevelopmental syndrome
A Mendelian diseases characterized by global developmental delay and renal dysfunction manifest as proteinuria...
lissencephaly 10
lissencephaly 10 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
neurodevelopmental disorder with hypotonia and speech delay, with or without seizures
neurodevelopmental disorder with hypotonia and speech delay, with or without seizures is a medical condition t...
Tests providers may use to investigate atypical absence seizure
When investigating atypical absence seizure, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.
CBC with Differential
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...
Urinalysis
Examines urine content to help detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes....
Symptoms commonly seen alongside atypical absence seizure
Constipation
Infrequent or difficult evacuation of feces....
Depression
Frequently experiencing feelings of being down, miserable, and/or hopeless; struggling to recover from these m...
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing....
Headache
Cephalgia, or pain sensed in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve....
Muscle weakness
Reduced strength of muscles....
Seizure
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence ...
When to seek care
Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if atypical absence seizure is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the symptom atypical absence seizure mean?
Atypical absence seizure is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. An atypical absence seizure is a type of generalized non-motor (absence) seizure characterized by interruption of ongoing activities and reduced responsiveness. In comparison to a typical absence seizure, changes in tone may be more pronounced, onset and/or cessation may be less abrupt, and the duration of the ictus and post-ictal recovery may be longer. Although not always available, an EEG often demonstrates slow (<3 Hz), irregular, generalized spike-wave activity.
Which conditions are associated with atypical absence seizure?
Atypical absence seizure has been reported in association with 24 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Angelman syndrome, Angelman syndrome due to paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 15, Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 122, Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with spike-wave activation in sleep, Dravet syndrome. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about atypical absence seizure?
You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.