A child has sudden episodes of staring and unresponsiveness lasting a few seconds with 3 Hz spike-and-wave on the EEG. What is the diagnosis?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Absence epilepsy

  1. Step 1: Childhood absence epilepsy shows typical 3 Hz spike-and-wave activity.
Answer
Absence epilepsy.
Why not the others: Complex partial seizures, Infantile spasms and Tonic-clonic seizures do not fit this picture as well.

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