Evaluation of staring episodes in children

Abstract

A thorough interrogation of the events, which includes response to touch or tickling and association with 'boredom' should be undertaken. Analysis of video recording should be sought if direct observation is not possible. No further investigations are warranted to make a diagnosis of daydreaming or childhood preoccupation. If the episodes are not terminated by stimulation and interrupt activities, they are more likely to be seizures. One should try and differentiate between absence seizures and complex partial seizures using eyewitness account, hyperventilation test and EEG. This differentiation is essential, to help make an appropriate choice of AEDs.