[Absence epilepsy. A review of our 14 years' experience]

Absence epilepsy (AE), typically occurring at the paediatric age, is characterised by episodes of diminished consciousness accompanied by a generalised rapid spike-wave in electroencephalogram recordings.

Our study involved children with AE from the Neuropaediatrics database between May 1990 and May 2004. Patient records were reviewed and cases no longer controlled were contacted by telephone.

Of a total of 7,562 patients surveyed in the period under study, 757 subjects (10%) had epilepsy and there were 49 cases of AE (6.47% of the total number of cases of epilepsy): 29 were females (59.2%) and 20 were males (40.8%). Mean age at the time of the first visit was 7.93 years (ranging between 3 years and 10 months and 13 years and 6 months). The average follow-up time between the first visit and the last time information was updated was 5.3 years (ranging between 10 days and 13 years and 2 months). Only two females, receiving treatment, still have absences. 42 children have been without absences for more than six months, 16 with treatment and 26 without therapy; 21 children have been without absences for over four years and are not under treatment. 12 have problems at school.

AE is easy to diagnose and usually responds well to treatment either as monotherapy or, in some cases, in association with two antiepileptic agents. Strict initial control by experts in its management prevents absences from continuing over long periods of time. The psychosocial and learning dysfunctions that are associated in some cases require close attention.