13 year old sister experiencing a blackout

[ak113]

Hi my sister has been experiencing a blackout everyday wish is very brief while standing up even slowly or walking there are no other symptoms accompanying it its been going on for a year but she has mentioned that the persistency of the blackout has decreased somewhat over time her blood pressure was checked at the neurologist which was normaland the neurologist has scheduled her to be tested using a mri for the brain EEG and he is reffering her to a cardiologist can anyone specualte what it may be?

[caregiver222]

This is consistant with a diagnosis of a petit-mal siezure.

[ak113]

Thank you guys but whats weird is the frequency of her symptom if blackout has decreased which is odd and she mentions to me it only lasts for a minute and she is still able to recall everything the blackout symptom is been going on for a year any changes in your giuys assessment?

[caregiver222]

As mentioned by Paderla Anitha your description is consistant with a diagnosis of petit-mal siezure. In the future it is important to go to an emergency room immediately after an episode because some changes that would be helpful in diagnosis are transient. One of the tests (you should insist on)  involves exposure to light of various frequencies and flicker-rates. Some people develop these siezures only when exposed to flickering light, which can come from a flourescent bulb, a television, or light flashing through the blades of a fan or airplane. Red lights flashing on an emergency vehicle will also precipitate a siezure in certain patients. f this is the case wearing polarized glasses seems to reduce the frequency of symptoms. It is helpful to go to a teaching hospital that has a department specializing in siezure diagnosis and evaluation.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of her symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include low blood pressure, low blood sugar, autonomic disturbances, TIA, seizures, cardiovascular causes such as arrhythmias, ophthalmic causes etc. I would suggest considering a detailed evaluation by an internist initially and depending on the cause diagnosed/ suspected, it can be managed accordingly or specialist care may be sought.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

The blackouts she is experiencing could sometimes be due to petit mal or absence seizures. For seizure activity only an EEG (electroencephalogram) can help confirm this. This is done under the guidance of a neurologist. Sometimes space occupying lesions in the brain can induce seizures, so your doctor could have asked for the MRI. So, wait for the results, based on which your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medications. And good luck.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.