Which seizure type is described by brief lapses of consciousness, often with eye blinking?

• A. Focal
• B. Absence
• C. Tonic-clonic
• D. Myoclonic

Answer: (B)

Absence seizures produce brief lapses of consciousness with minimal movement, often accompanied by rapid eye blinking or eyelid flutter. These spells last only a few seconds, the person appears to stare or daydream, and they rapidly resume their activity with no memory of the event or postictal confusion. This pattern is classic for absence seizures, which are common in children and show a characteristic electroencephalogram finding of generalized 3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges, often reproducible with hyperventilation during testing. In contrast, focal seizures begin in a specific brain region and may involve focal motor or sensory symptoms; tonic-clonic seizures involve loss of consciousness with body stiffening and rhythmic jerking followed by a period of confusion; myoclonic seizures are sudden brief jerks without the same typical lapse in awareness. Because the description aligns with a brief, consciousness-impairing spell with eye blinking and rapid return to baseline, absence seizure is the best fit.