Definition: A childhood seizure disorder 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)
note X ref PETIT MAL EPILEPSY: do not confuse with PETIT MAL STATUS see STATUS EPILEPTICUS
Other names Pyknolepsy; Petit Mal Epilepsy; Epilepsy, Minor; Akinetic Petit Mal; Absence Seizures; Pyknolepsies; Seizures, Atonic Absence; Seizure, Atonic Absence; Seizure, Absence; Seizure Disorders, Absence; Pykno-Epilepsies; Pykno Epilepsy; Petit Mal, Akinetic; Petit Mal Epilepsies; Minor Epilepsy; Minor Epilepsies; Juvenile Absence Epilepsies; Epilepsy, Juvenile Absence; Epilepsy, Childhood Absence; Epilepsies, Juvenile Absence
