You are called to a residence to assess a child. The panicked parents state that their 3-year-old son was playing with his brother when he suddenly "blanked out" and would not respond to them for several seconds. When asked, they deny any convulsing-like movement as well as a history of medical problems. Based on this description, you would be suspicious of what type of seizure?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The child's sudden "blanking out" and not responding for several seconds is a classic presentation of an absence seizure, also known as a petit mal seizure. Febrile seizures are typically characterized by a sudden fever and can involve convulsions, but the parents did not report a fever or convulsions. Simple partial seizures typically involve specific motor or sensory symptoms, and the parents did not report any specific symptoms. Grand mal seizures involve convulsions, which the parents denied.

You Are Called to a Residence to Assess a Child