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Petit mal epileptic seizures

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Absence seizures or Petit mal is a form of primary generalised epilepsy that is seen mostly in children.

Patients with absences in childhood may not suffer them as an adult. However, a proportion of patients may go on to develop primary generalized seizures.

The EEG shows a characteristic 3 cycle per second spike and wave activity, which may be stimulated by hyperventilation.


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