My daughter is over-energetic and has spontaneous blank stares with stiff arms. Please help.

Question

Hi doctor,

My daughter is sometimes over-energetic and suddenly stares randomly with slight stiffness of the arms for maybe two to three seconds. It happens few times a day. We consulted a neurologist, but nothing was found to be abnormal. Doctors ruled it out as a slight tic disorder. However, I have continued to see these blank stares from my child spontaneously throughout the day. Could this be an absence seizure?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I saw the pictures that you have uploaded (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), and by the images, we cannot determine if the blank stare is a tic or absence seizures. In fact, in children, it is challenging to distinguish this clinical situation. But, I would recommend performing an EEG (electroencephalogram), which can help determine if it is an absence seizure or just a tic (which shows nothing in EEG). I hope you will find this answer helpful. I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need me.

Kind regards.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Both absence seizures and tic are chronic disorders, not life-threatening, and you may wait until consulting a pediatrician or neuropediatrician. Both these disorders are treatable. I would also recommend checking thyroid hormone levels and vitamin D plasma levels for possible deficiency. I hope you will find this answer helpful. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask me again.

I wish you all the best.