View source for Childhood Absence Epilepsy

=Background=
* Usually in children between 3 and 10 years old
* Most around 5-6 years old when the first absence seizure was seen
* 1 in 15.000-50.000 children
* Siblings of children with Childhood Absence Epilepsy (CAE) have about a 1 in 10 chance of developing epilepsy.


=Clinic=
* Staring spells during which the child is not aware or responsive 
* Eyes may roll up briefly or the eyes may blink. 
* Sometimes repetitive movements like mouth chewing. 
* Usually the absence last for around 10 seconds and ends abruptly
* After the seizure the child resumes normal activity 
* Could be provoked by hyperventilation


=EEG=
* Generalized [[Spike slow wave complex]] of 3 Hz
* Hyperventilation triggers an absence seizure in over 80% of children with Childhood Absence Epilepsy. 


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'''''Childhood absence epilepsy in a 4,5 year old girl, with typical generalized 3 Hz spike wave complexes (source) '''''
[[File:Childhood_absence_epilepsy_4,5_year_old_girl_(source)_EEGpedia.png|border|none|1200px|left]]


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