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Help for children who seem to "shut off"

	Absence seizures are a form of childhood epilepsy. Treatments can't cure epilepsy, but they'll reduce your child's seizures. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find treatments for absence seizures that work well.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out which medications rate best for treating absence seizures.

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating absence seizures in children. Our clear and sound advice helps you and your doctor choose the best treatment options.

Key points for children with absence seizures

• Absence seizures can make learning difficult and increase the risk of accidents in children.
• During an absence seizure, children shut off for a few seconds.
• They appear to stare blankly into space and don't know what's going on around them.
• Seizures usually last less than 10 seconds, but a child can have lots of them.
• If your child gets only absence seizures and is between the ages of 4 and 10, your doctor might say they have childhood absence epilepsy.
• Children who get seizures may need to avoid some activities, such as climbing, swimming unsupervised, or riding a bike on busy roads.

Doctors think absence seizures are probably caused by a problem with the genes that control how the brain works. It can be difficult to tell if your child has absence seizures. Before they are diagnosed, children are sometimes scolded for being careless or not paying attention. Teachers are often the people who notice that something is wrong.

Medications can reduce the amount of seizures your child has or stop them altogether. Our concise condition report and treatment ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for absence seizures is right for your child. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we will also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.