Petit mal seizure

Alternative Names

Treatment

As seizures can interfere with learning or result in injury, the goal of treatment is to prevent or minimize the number of seizures and to minimize any side effects of the treatments. In some cases, treatment of identifiable causes may reduce or eliminate seizures.

Anticonvulsant (antiseizure) medications may prevent or minimize the number of seizures. Petit mal seizures usually respond to valproic acid, ethosuximide, clonazepam, and certain other drugs. Response to medications varies and the medication and dosage may have to be adjusted repeatedly. For some drugs, monitoring of plasma drug levels is important for continued control of seizures and reduction of medication side effects.

Absence status epilepticus (multiple, frequently-repeated seizures) may be treated with intravenous medications and other treatments.

Support Groups

American Epilepsy Socieity -- www.aesnet.org

Outlook (Prognosis)

Almost all children with petit mal seizures have significantly fewer (or no) seizures with the use of medications. Petit mal seizures may stop spontaneously after the child reaches adulthood, they may continue indefinitely, or the person may progress to a grand mal seizure.

Long-term prognosis depends on whether there are any underlying neurological problems or other seizure types in addition to the petit mal seizures.

Most people with petit mal seizures live a fairly normal life, with few restrictions on school activities or social life. As adulthood approaches, restrictions may be placed on driving or operating dangerous machinery if seizures continue.

Possible Complications

• Learning disabilities
• Absence status epilepticus
• Injury from falls
• Injury caused by seizure during driving/operating machinery
• Side effects of medications (with or without symptoms)
• Progression to generalized tonic-clonic seizure

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if a seizure lasts longer than 2 to 3 minutes or if there is no history of previous seizures. This is an emergency situation.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms of absence status epilepticus occur:

• Prolonged changes in mental status such as confusion or poor responsiveness
• Prolonged seizure activity/unconscious activity and automatic behaviors (people may eat or move without being aware of where they are or what they are doing)

This may be an emergency situation.

Call your health care provider if this is the first time the person has had seizures.

Call your health care provider if this is a new type of seizure for the person or if other types of seizures begin occurring.

Call your health care provider if any new symptoms occur, including possible side effects of medications such as changes in mental status (drowsiness, restlessness, confusion, sedation or others), nausea and vomiting, rash, loss of hair, tremors or abnormal movements, rash, fevers, or problems with coordination.

References

Hirtz D, Ashwal S, Berg A, et al. Practice parameter: Evaluating a first nonfebrile seizure in children: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology, the Child Neurology Society, and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology. 2000;55;616-623.

Hirtz D, Berg A, Bettis D. Practice parameter: Treatment of the child with a first unprovoked seizure: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society.Neurology. 2003;60;166-175.

Goetz, CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2003.

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002.