This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: C.N.S., Subject name: Medicine
This form of epilepsy almost always starts in childhood.For the above patient with clinical symptoms and signs, select the most likely seizure type 
Select and explain. 
A. simple partial seizure, B. complex partial seizures, C. tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures, D. absence (petit mal) seizures
D: absence (petit mal) seizures
Answer: D: absence (petit mal) seizures 
Explanation: Absence seizures almost always begin in young children (age 6-14). They may first present as learning difficulties in school. The EEG is diagnostic, revealing brief 3-Hz spike and wave discharges occurring synchronously throughout all the leads.