Neurology: absence seizures: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Neurology: absence seizures

Sample item

A school-aged child has frequent brief staring spells with eyelid flutter, no postictal confusion, and 3-Hz generalized spike-wave activity. What is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Childhood absence epilepsy

Childhood absence epilepsy causes abrupt brief impairment of awareness, often many times daily, with immediate recovery and characteristic 3-Hz generalized spike-wave EEG. Hyperventilation can provoke events.

Option by option

  • A. Focal impaired-awareness seizure

    Focal impaired-awareness seizures are often longer and may have postictal confusion.

  • B. Syncope

    Syncope is usually associated with postural trigger and loss of tone.

  • C. Complex migraine

    Migraine episodes last far longer and have different symptoms.

  • D. Childhood absence epilepsy (correct)

    Correct. Brief frequent spells with immediate recovery and 3-Hz pattern are typical.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, Childhood absence epilepsy. Childhood absence epilepsy causes abrupt brief impairment of awareness, often many times daily, with immediate recovery and characteristic 3-Hz generalized spike-wave EEG.

Why is "Focal impaired-awareness seizure" not the answer?

Focal impaired-awareness seizures are often longer and may have postictal confusion.

Why is "Syncope" not the answer?

Syncope is usually associated with postural trigger and loss of tone.

Why is "Complex migraine" not the answer?

Migraine episodes last far longer and have different symptoms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: absence seizures in Pediatrics. Hyperventilation can provoke events.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neurology: absence seizures?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.