These Episodes in Pediatrics — 7yo Child | Paediatric Neurology | SMLE Q#17337
SMLE Question #17337
Pediatrics
Paediatric Neurology
Last updated: February 2026
A 7-year-old girl is brought to clinic because her teacher reports frequent brief episodes in class during which the child abruptly stops speaking and stares for 5–10 seconds. There is no preceding aura, no loss of postural tone, no automatisms, and no confusion afterward; she immediately resumes her activity and is unaware of the event. Her parents deny fever with these episodes, head trauma, or developmental delay. Neurologic examination and brain MRI are normal. EEG shows generalized, symmetric 3-Hz spike-and-wave discharges. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?
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