HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Absence Epilepsy
Topic Overview
Childhood absence Reference epilepsy Opens New Window develops between ages 4 and 10. It causes very brief absence seizures that may include staring into space, eye fluttering, and slight muscle jerks.
Juvenile absence epilepsy develops between ages 10 and 17 and causes similar seizures. Many children with juvenile absence epilepsy have Reference generalized tonic-clonic seizures as well.
Both childhood and juvenile absence epilepsy tend to run in families. These types of epilepsy usually respond well to drug therapy.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference August 26, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
Reference Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology |
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