Petit Mal Status in Adults

  1. STEPHEN W. THOMPSON, M.D.; and
  2. ARNOLD H. GREENHOUSE, M.D., F.A.C.P.
  1. Requests for reprints should be addressed to A. H. Greenhouse, M.D., Division of Neurology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine,
    930 Stanford Drive, NE, Albuquerque, N. M. 87106
    .

SUMMARY

Petit mal is primarily a childhood disorder and becomes less common in adult life. Petit mal status (spike-wave stupor) is an unusual complication, but one third of cases reported since 1950 have been in young adults, usually under 40 years old.

Four adults who had petit mal since childhood are presented. Three of these patients, one of whom was age 61, had discrete episodes of petit mal status, while the fourth had prolonged depression of mental function due to constantly recurring petit mal attacks. These patients were initially thought to be psychotic. The clinical features of these and of previously reported cases of petit mal status are considered; their salient characteristics are emphasized, and the differential diagnosis is discussed.

Article and Author Information

  • From the Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, N. M.

    • Received November 13, 1967.
    • Accepted February 12, 1968.
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  1. Ann Intern Med June 1, 1968 vol. 68 no. 6 1271-1279
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