An absence seizure, also known as a petit mal seizure, is a type of seizure that involves brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They are most common in children between the ages of 4 and 14. During an absence seizure, a person may stare blankly into space for a few seconds, and then quickly return to being alert. There is usually no confusion, headache, or drowsiness after the seizure, but injury can result during the period when the person loses consciousness. Symptoms of absence seizures include a sudden stop in activity without falling, lip smacking, eyelid flutters, chewing motions, finger rubbing, and small movements of both hands. Afterward, there is usually no memory of the incident, but if the seizure is longer, the person may be aware of missed time. Absence seizures usually can be controlled with anti-seizure medicines. Some children who have them also develop other seizures, such as generalized tonic-clonic seizures or myoclonic seizures. Many children outgrow absence seizures in their teens.