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Pseudoseizures caused by hyperventilation resembling absence epilepsy.

K N North1, R A Ouvrier, M Nugent

  • 1Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, Australia.

Journal of Child Neurology
|October 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary

Recurrent "absences" in children were found to be pseudoseizures triggered by hyperventilation, not epilepsy. These episodes resolved spontaneously in most cases, suggesting a link to cerebrovascular factors.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Childhood absence epilepsy is a common neurological disorder.
  • Hyperventilation can trigger various neurological symptoms.
  • Differentiating absence seizures from other conditions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Observation:

  • 18 pediatric patients presented with absence-like episodes and normal neurological examinations.
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) showed normal background activity but paroxysmal slow-wave activity during hyperventilation.
  • These hyperventilation-induced episodes mimicked absence seizures but lacked epileptic activity.

Findings:

  • The study identified "pseudoseizures caused by hyperventilation resembling absence epilepsy" in children.
  • Environmental stress was a factor in 13 of 18 cases.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Follow-up revealed spontaneous resolution in most patients, with only two continuing to experience absences linked to emotional distress.

    • Implications:

    • Hyperventilation-induced pseudoseizures should be considered in the differential diagnosis of absence epilepsy.
    • Cerebrovascular immaturity and excessive vasoconstrictor responses may underlie these episodes.
    • Understanding these pseudoseizures can prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary anti-epileptic treatment.