Typical absence seizure
A typical absence seizure is a type of generalized non-motor (absence) seizure characterized by its sudden onset, interruption of ongoing activities, a blank stare, possibly a brief upward deviation of the eyes. Usually the patient will be unresponsive when spoken to. Duration is a few seconds to half a minute with very rapid recovery. Although not always available, an EEG would usually show 3 Hz generalized epileptiform discharges during the event.
Also called: Typical absence, Typical absence seizures.
Conditions associated with typical absence seizure
The following conditions have been associated with typical absence seizure in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
Alström syndrome
Alström syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Bilateral generalized polymicrogyria
Bilateral generalized polymicrogyria is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and s...
Childhood absence epilepsy
Childhood absence epilepsy is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Coffin-Siris syndrome 6
Any Coffin-Siris syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the ARID2 gene....
DYRK1A-related intellectual disability syndrome due to 21q22.13q22.2 microdeletion
DYRK1A-related intellectual disability syndrome due to 21q22.13q22.2 microdeletion is a medical condition that...
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...
Facial dysmorphism-developmental delay-behavioral abnormalities syndrome due to WAC point mutation
Facial dysmorphism-developmental delay-behavioral abnormalities syndrome due to WAC point mutation is a medica...
Helsmoortel-van der Aa syndrome
Helsmoortel-van der Aa syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Houge-Janssens syndrome 4
Houge-Janssens syndrome 4 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Neurodevelopmental disorder-craniofacial dysmorphism-cardiac defect-skeletal anomalies syndrome due to 9q21.3 microdeletion
Neurodevelopmental disorder-craniofacial dysmorphism-cardiac defect-skeletal anomalies syndrome due to 9q21.3 ...
Neurodevelopmental disorder-craniofacial dysmorphism-cardiac defect-skeletal anomalies syndrome due to a point mutation
Neurodevelopmental disorder-craniofacial dysmorphism-cardiac defect-skeletal anomalies syndrome due to a point...
Nil-Deshwar neurodevelopmental syndrome
Nil-Deshwar neurodevelopmental syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms an...
RNU5B-1 related neurodevelopmental disorder with seizures and joint laxity
A neurodevelopmental disorder in which the cause of the disease is a variation in RNU5B-1 gene and is characte...
Spinal muscular atrophy-progressive myoclonic epilepsy syndrome
Spinal muscular atrophy-progressive myoclonic epilepsy syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated ...
Stolerman neurodevelopmental syndrome
Stolerman neurodevelopmental syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and ...
Tay-Sachs disease
Tay-Sachs disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase kinase deficiency
A rare disorder of branched-chain amino acid metabolism characterized by childhood-onset epilepsy, autism and ...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 100
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 100 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 109
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 109 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, 19
Any early infantile epileptic encephalopathy in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the GABRA1 gen...
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....
intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 77
intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 77 is a medical condition that may be associated with ...
leukoencephalopathy without lacunae, adult-onset
leukoencephalopathy without lacunae, adult-onset is a medical condition that may be associated with various sy...
neurodevelopmental disorder with ataxia and brain abnormalities
neurodevelopmental disorder with ataxia and brain abnormalities is a medical condition that may be associated ...
neurodevelopmental disorder with early-onset seizures, facial dysmorphism, and behavioral abnormalities
neurodevelopmental disorder with early-onset seizures, facial dysmorphism, and behavioral abnormalities is a m...
neurodevelopmental disorder with white matter abnormalities and gait disturbance
neurodevelopmental disorder with white matter abnormalities and gait disturbance is a medical condition that m...
Tests providers may use to investigate typical absence seizure
When investigating typical 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 typical absence seizure
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing....
Fatigue
A subjective feeling of tiredness characterized by a lack of energy and motivation....
Fever
Body temperature elevated above the normal range....
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 typical 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 typical absence seizure mean?
Typical absence seizure is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. A typical absence seizure is a type of generalized non-motor (absence) seizure characterized by its sudden onset, interruption of ongoing activities, a blank stare, possibly a brief upward deviation of the eyes. Usually the patient will be unresponsive when spoken to. Duration is a few seconds to half a minute with very rapid recovery. Although not always available, an EEG would usually show 3 Hz generalized epileptiform discharges during the event.
Which conditions are associated with typical absence seizure?
Typical absence seizure has been reported in association with 28 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Alström syndrome, Bilateral generalized polymicrogyria, Childhood absence epilepsy, Coffin-Siris syndrome 6, DYRK1A-related intellectual disability syndrome due to 21q22.13q22.2 microdeletion. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about typical 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.