A seizure disorder usually occurring in childhood characterized by rhythmic electrical brain discharges of generalized onset. Clinical features include a sudden cessation of ongoing activity usually without loss of postural tone. Rhythmic blinking of the eyelids or lip smacking frequently accompanies the SEIZURES. The usual duration is 5-10 seconds, and multiple episodes may occur daily. Juvenile absence epilepsy is characterized by the juvenile onset of absence seizures and an increased incidence of myoclonus and tonic-clonic seizures. (Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, p736)
Also Known As:
Childhood Absence Epilepsy; Epilepsy, Juvenile Absence; Pyknolepsy; Epilepsy, Absence; Absence Seizure Disorder; Epilepsy Juvenile Absence; Epilepsy, Absence, Atypical; Epilepsy, Petit Mal; Juvenile Absence Epilepsy; Pykno-Epilepsy; Seizure Disorder, Absence; Absence Epilepsy, Childhood; Absence Epilepsy, Juvenile; Absence Seizure Disorders; Epilepsy, Childhood Absence; Minor Epilepsy; Petit Mal, Akinetic; Pykno Epilepsy; Pyknolepsies; Seizure Disorders, Absence; Akinetic Petit Mal; Epilepsy, Minor; Petit Mal Epilepsy