What causes childhood absence epilepsy?

Author

Mia Ramsey

Published Mar 11, 2026

What causes childhood absence epilepsy?

Causes. The genetics of childhood absence epilepsy are complex and not completely understood. It is thought that multiple genetic changes or a combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute to development of the condition.

Also know, does childhood absence epilepsy go away?

Two out of 3 children with childhood absence seizures respond to treatment. The seizures usually disappear by late childhood or mid-adolescence.

One may also ask, what causes childhood epilepsy? Epilepsy can be caused by infections, genetic mutations, brain injury or a tumor, abnormal blood vessels, or bleeding in the brain. Kids with Down syndrome, autism, and some metabolic disorders also may have epilepsy.

Similarly, why does my child stare into space?

An absence seizure causes you to blank out or stare into space for a few seconds. They can also be called petit mal seizures. Absence seizures are most common in children and typically don't cause any long-term problems.

What happens if absence seizures go untreated?

Absence seizures are a type of epilepsy. They aren't normally harmful, and most children grow out of them by puberty. But, you should talk to your child's pediatrician because, untreated, they can affect your child's life and learning.”

Can absence epilepsy be cured?

The outlook is very good. Most children with absence epilepsy eventually outgrow the condition without complications. With proper treatment, the child can have a normal life at school and at home. In most cases, there is no long-term effect on brain development, brain function or intelligence.

Can a child grow out of epilepsy?

Most children who have epilepsy -- which by definition means that they've had more than one seizure -- will outgrow the condition. Most children with epilepsy are perfectly healthy and normal in other ways. 70% to 80% of children with epilepsy can control the condition completely with medication.

What age does epilepsy usually start?

Epilepsy can start at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed in people under 20 and people over 65. This is because some causes are more common in young people (such as difficulties at their birth, childhood infections or accidents) and in older people (such as strokes that lead to epilepsy).

How common is childhood absence epilepsy?

Childhood absence epilepsy affects 2 to 8 in 100,000 children under age 15 each year. The condition is more common in girls than in boys.

How do I know if my child has absence seizures?

Signs and symptoms of absence seizures include:

Sudden stop in motion without falling.
Lip smacking.
Eyelid flutters.
Chewing motions.
Finger rubbing.
Small movements of both hands.

What are the 3 main phases of a seizure?

Seizures take on many different forms and have a beginning (prodrome and aura), middle (ictal) and end (post-ictal) stage.

What is the best treatment for absence seizures?

Drugs prescribed for absence seizure include:

Ethosuximide (Zarontin). This is the drug most doctors start with for absence seizures.
Valproic acid (Depakene). Girls who continue to need medication into adulthood should discuss potential risks of valproic acid with their doctors.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal).

Is staring a sign of autism?

Since children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may also have epileptic disorders, physicians usually want electroencephalograms (EEGs) of their brains. One sign of autism is staring spells. That can also be a form of epilepsy, an absence seizure.

Is staring into space a sign of autism?

Answer: Children with autism are often described as being in their own world, or staring off into space. And it's important to distinguish that from an absence seizure.

Are staring spells normal?

Though most staring spells are perfectly normal, sometimes they can signal an absence seizure. Once known as petit-mal (“little sickness”) seizures, absence seizures most commonly affect children between ages 4 and 14, but older kids and even adults can occasionally have them.

Can Absence seizures cause behavior problems?

Between 30 and 50 percent of children with epilepsy will develop a behavioral or mental health problem. The types of behavioral problems associated with epilepsy include attention deficit, hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, aggression, and autism spectrum disorder.

What triggers absence seizures?

An absence seizure causes a short period of “blanking out” or staring into space. Like other kinds of seizures, they are caused by brief abnormal electrical activity in a person's brain. An absence seizure is a generalized onset seizure, which means it begins in both sides of the brain at the same time.

Can lack of sleep trigger seizures?

Can sleep deprivation trigger a seizure? Yes, it can. Seizures are very sensitive to sleep patterns. Some people have their first and only seizures after an "all-nighter" at college or after not sleeping well for long periods.

What does a child seizure look like?

clonic seizures, which are rhythmic jerking movements that may involve the muscles of the face, tongue, arms, legs, or other regions. tonic seizures, which are stiffening or tightening or muscle groups; the head or eyes may turn to one side, or the baby may bend or stretch one or more arms or legs.

How are absence seizures diagnosed?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test most often used to diagnose absence seizures. This test records the brain's electrical activity. It spots any problems that might mean an absence seizure. Sometimes the EEG is recorded over several days (long-term EEG).

Can stress cause absence seizures?

Some people experience symptoms similar to those of an epileptic seizure but without any unusual electrical activity in the brain. When this happens it is known as a non-epileptic seizure (NES). NES is most often caused by mental stress or a physical condition.

What is the root cause of epilepsy?

Brain conditions that cause damage to the brain, such as brain tumors or strokes, can cause epilepsy. Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in adults older than age 35. Infectious diseases. Infectious diseases, such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis, can cause epilepsy.

Does epilepsy worsen with age?

Factors affecting prognosis

Age: Adults over the age of 60 may experience an increased risk for epileptic seizures, as well as related complications.

What are the first signs of a seizure?

Seizure signs and symptoms may include:

Temporary confusion.
A staring spell.
Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs.
Loss of consciousness or awareness.
Cognitive or emotional symptoms, such as fear, anxiety or deja vu.

Are you born with epilepsy or does it develop?

Epilepsy and seizures can develop in any person at any age. 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. Factors such as other health conditions, age, and race may make developing epilepsy and seizures more likely.

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