Ever Hear of This?

Okay...my suggestion is to have him tested for seizures! My nephew was having the same type of episodes, starting at about age 2. He was later diagnosed with Epileptic Seizures, at age 7. His began as staring episodes...where he wouldn’t respond to anyone....wouldn’t even acknowledge that we were there. They later progressed to episodes of him just falling out. Pay attention to the type of activity that he’s doing at the time of these episodes. There are some things that will bring these seizures on....for example when my nephew got older and started playing video games or watching alot of tv, he would have a seizure. Certain colors would also trigger it. So keep an eye out for this. There are different types of seizures (in my nephews case it was Epilepsy). There are also different seizure stages. Your case sounds like Pedi Mal...this are usually the beginning stages. One more thing....when someone has a seizure their brain is not getting any oxygen, so the longer the episode the more damage to the brain. Hopefully this helps!

My nephew started having seizures (sp?) when he was around five years old. We would know he was having one only b/c he would 'space out'. He would just go pefectly still and not hear or be aware of anything around him for a few minutes. When he came back, he wouldn't realize he had even had the seizure. My sister-in-law took him to a neurologist who diagnosed him and put him on medicine. Eventually he outgrew them. I would't wait a week if I were you, either. I'd get him to a neurologist ASAP.

It almost sounds to me like an epilectic seizure. Unfortunately, my 3 yr. old daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 1. She actually has the full blown seizures, but after all the reading I've done on the subject there are many kinds and degrees of seizures. I know it sounds odd, but its really a very good thing that they could not find anything on the EEG. It means that he may grow out of this. After 2+ yrs of drug treatment, we are current trying to wean her from the meds. to see if she has outgrown the seizures as they could never find a reason. So far, so good...

T.,

Unfortunately it sounds like a mild seizure. Be persistant with the doctors, parents are their child's best advocate and must have a doctor who is open to listening. Good luck; I hope for the best!

It sounds like petit mal epilepsy to me. See the following I copied from the internet.

Definition
Absence seizure — also known as petit mal seizure — involves only a brief, sudden lapse of conscious activity. Occurring most often in children, absence seizure may look like the person is merely staring into space for a few seconds.

Compared with other types of epileptic seizures, the petit mal variety is very mild. But that doesn't mean they can't be dangerous. Children with a history of absence seizure must be supervised carefully while swimming or bathing, because of the danger of drowning. They may also be restricted from driving and other potentially hazardous activities.

Some people experience hundreds of these episodes each day, which interferes with their performance at school or work. Absence seizures can usually be controlled with anti-seizure medications. Many children outgrow these seizures in their teen years.

sounds like a light seizure. I would persue it vigorously.

Sometimes epilepsy does that. Did they check that?

It sounds like it may possibly be a seizure. My nephew had a type of seizure similiar to what you have described where he would zone out and afterwards he would be quite tired. After different tests and brain scans it was determined he had epileptic (misspelled) seizures and was put on medication to control them.

HI T., I checked out a couple of responses and everyone has pretty much said the same thing. That they are seizures. You definitely don't want to wait and should seek medical help immediately. If their current doctor isn't doing a good job by all means find someone who is willing to help. Even if it means going out of state. All the best to your family.

I have a friend that her child has seizures. You may want to explore?

When I was a little girl our neighbor did this exact same thing and it was a form of epilepsy, a seizure of some sort if I remember correctly. I would look up doctors who specialize in treating epilepsy and start there.

About me:
SAHM of five, well four, one is in the USAF, ages 21-14, & home schooling the 3 high schoolers, with one in college at AACC. Married to wonderful man for almost five years.

It might be small siezures. Try contacting a neurologist.

While I don't have anything definitive to tell you, it sounds very much like a neighbor we had years ago. The little girl did the same thing, and she was diagnosed as having a seizure disorder. Good luck to them!

L.

They sound very much like "starring seizures". My son recently had an EEG for the same suspision. GOOGLE "starring seizures"...that's how I got a lot of information.

I assume this child did not have a period of fever or seizures or hit his head prior to this 'dazed' behavior. If he also does not lose muscle control or fall or appear to have fainted (signs of vagal syncope)when these moments occur, his symptoms sound like classic petit mal epilepsy. These have more recently been named absence seizures. They can be triggered by hyperventilation and you mention he seems to intake a big breathe before these happen, though usually there is no precipitating behavior. Please review this site for medically verified information http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/000696.htm. I am surprised an EEG did not provide more evidence for a differential diagnosis. I hope your family can get more information soon.

I am not a doctor, but these episodes sound a lot like petit mal seizures to me. I would have the child in to see a pediatric neurologist and have him check to see if the child could have some form of epilepsy or other seizure disorder.

I agree with the other post. It does sound like an absence (pronounced ab-sahns, as in French) seizure. I have a fair degree of experience with people with epilepsy. I suggest taking the little guy to a neurologist at a pediatric epilepsy clinic - Hopkins or U of M hospital, if he's in Baltimore, for example. One EEG will only show whether the brain is having seizure activity during the test. This is somewhat common in children, and many kids grow out of it. The Epilepsy Foundation can give you more info and support.

Hi T.,

I am by no means a medical expert, however I did teach for 8 years before having my son and came across a few students who would have seizures that resembled what you are describing. They would never shake or lose consciousnes, but would "space out" for a few seconds to a minute. They were never dangerous, just something that we had to be aware of.

I hope they are able to figure out what is going on! I think not knowing what is wrong is very scary. Good luck!

hi T., my niece had similar episodes and the doctors found she was having mild epileptic seizures. i don't really know the details, but you guys may want to bring it up to the doctor. she is currently taking medication which have helped alot...

I can't offer much. But I would say to take him to a Neurologist. If he needs a refferal, ask his doctor to give him one. Just tell him since he's stumped, your not comfortable with putting this off and want to get to the bottom of it. It sounds like some sort of black out. My biggest advice to any parent is-you know your child better than anyone. And I have personally found that parental instincts are real. And if it "feels" like somethings not righ, you (in the case the parent) are probably right. Take this feeling serious and if your wrong, that's ok. Rather get it checked and be wrong than ignore your sons symptoms and your instints and be right.

I saw something on 20/20 or some show like that, sounds similar, the child was allergic to gluten, it is called celiac disease, and was doing the exact thing you just described. Mom and Dad even did the same thing, video taped the child and showed it to the drs. They were just glad they found it when they did because of the neurological impacts it could have. So, anyway, that is what it might be. Good Luck.

I had that happen as a child to me and my parents had me admitted for two days of testing - brain scans, etc overnight and nothing showed up. They said I had small seizures and would outgrow them. I did outgrow the awake ones, but I still sometimes do faint - I did see a neurologist and have been diagnosed with vasovagal syncope. Not treatable, but nothing life threatening and I can tell when an episode is about to begin and can most times avoid it. They only occur every few years now. You can read about it on the internet. I agree to go to a pediatric neurologist.

It almost seems like the little on is having some sort of a seizure. Your cousin's best bet is to go to a WELL-KNOWN hospital (Hopkins, University of MD or even a specialized Children's Hospital (like CHOP-childrens hospital of phila.)- if they are local residents of course.
Best of luck to the little guy!

How long does he do this? I do that myself and my son does too. If it doesn't last very long then it's normal. Sometimes you just start staring at something and it doesn't have to be anything at all just staring. Nothing will take your focus off of you but yourself. I am older now so I can snap out of it. My son will do it and when I am talking to him he won't answer me. I will wave my hand in front of him and he will continue staring. I personally do not think it could be serious if it's not very long that he is doing that. I have even done it driving down the road. I know that sounds scary but I can snap out of it too. If you don't mind letting me know how long he does this I would really apprciate it. This is very interesting to me.
I hope some of my info. has helped some. By the way my son is 5 and he has done it for some time now. There is nothing wrong with him and it hasn't worried me to have it checked out because I do it also.
Please let me know.
thanks
S.

I know someone who you could be in mid-conversation with and she would do the same. You may want to check in to absent seizures.

Check out this site it might help and good luck!
http://neurology.health-cares.net/absence-seizure.php

My cousin's children both have seizures although they experience different types and are from different causes. The oldest child has episodes similiar to what you described. In fact, she has been know to be sitting there and look perfectly normal but either can't hear or can't respond (we're not sure which).

It also sounds like it could be a touch of autistic activity.

Either way, they should be sure to pursue the doctors...aggressively. In the mean time, have them eliminate (or at least limit) the child's exposure to video games and such. I know of two children who have had seizures triggered by the flashing lights such as those on games (even simon played in the dark).

Is it Narcolepsy? Some people can fall asleep with their eyes open. I met a Narcoleptic once and it scared me to death when he fell asleep in mid-sentence. Now, his eyes actually close, but again some people sleep with eyes open. Or, is he having a seizure? My son would stare off into space when he was 3 and his daycare provider brought it to our attention. He was later diagnosed with information processing disorder/delayed speech. More recently ADD was added, and he's now 10.

Hi T.,
When I was a child I had petite mal seizures. The episodes were exactly as you described. I would zone out and not have any recollection of what happened during that time. Sometimes my eyelids would flutter. I was treated with medicine (I don't remember what, sorry) and ultimately outgrew them.
But, the seizures I experienced showed up on an EEG and the neurologist could trigger them by making me hyperventilate. I wish I could offer more help. I hope your cousin is properly diagnosed soon.

Did they take him to a neurologist or a doctor specializing in seizures? Perhaps he could be having some type of seizure?

I don't mean to scare you but has he been checked for autism? It presents itself in the first three years and can have varying degrees.

Have they asked about seizures?? I knew a lady who had a mild form of epilepsy or seizure disorder where she would just become still and zone out. She looked like she was fine, but not cognisant(sp?) of her surroundings. Just my thoughts???
B.

Have the investigated seizure activity?

Sounds like the wonderful ladies are spot on. Absent seizures. Push. See a peds neurologist.

T.,
Not sure if this was brought up but many mnay years ago I had a friend that did this - it was a form of Eplipsey - she didn't have a seziure, but would just "zone" out for a few minutes right in the middle of things. Again, not sure if this has been brought up - but maybe someone mentioning it as a possibility is something to look into. Best of luck to your cousin.

Info on me - Happily married mother of 4 - 21 yr old son serving in Iraq and 10 yr old triplets(2 boys 1 girl). I am a SAHM and volunteer at school and neighborhood.

T.,
It sounds to me like a seizure. That is what started with my son when he was about 6 months old. The doctors told me I was crazy, but I knew something was not right. With the blank stare it could be an Epileptic Seizure. It's like putting the brain on pause. If they did an EEG, they may need to do another one. They didn't see anything with my son's first one either, but it continued to happen and I pushed for more testing. It is a very scarry thing to go thru since you really don't know until the doctors says to you... "yes this is what the problem is...let's try to fix it." I would either get a second opinion or push for more tests. It seems like lot on the little one, but it is better to take care of it now then let things get worse. Please remember that I am NOT a doctor and this is only my opinion. But please don't take "We don't know!" for an answer. I wish them all the best of luck.

Sounds like something I read in a biography of a psychic about theirr childhood

My daughter was having episodes where she was making what looked like involuntary movements with her head and arms. I did all kinds of research trying to figure it out. I finally got it on video. The pediatrician saw the video and suggested she was having petit mal siezures. He had me get an MRI done of her head and THEN schedule an appointment with a neurologist. I stress the time table because money and time wise it was easier to have the MRI already done for the neurologist to see rather than have him look at her for a consultation and then have a follow up with an MRI. It turned out to be what he called "benign habit pattern" or stereo typi (sp?) In other words, nothing, and nothing to worry about. It would go away. He said as soon as she could tell us why she was doing that she'd stop. She only did it once or twice more since that visit. That was 2-3 years ago.

In my research I also stumbled across another possible issue that your cousin's little one may have. Have they looked into Celiac disease? It is similar to a food allergy. The body has trouble digesting gluten. The zoning out that you are describing is not a common symptom but I have seen a program where a small child had similar symptoms that were over looked. It turns out that the child was not getting enough nutrients because of the celiac disease and it was affecting the brain? Not sure I have that right. Celiac disease can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. (They tested my daughter for it) I understand however that there can be some false negatives and there there is a more intrusive test beyond the blood test. The good news with celiac disease is that once you eliminate the gluten from their diet the child should be perfectly healthy.

Good luck to your husband's cousin and his family. I hope some of what I suggested helps or at least aims you in the right direction.