A 6-year-old boy is brought to the pediatric neurology clinic by his parents due to concerns about frequent episodes of brief staring spells. His teacher first noticed that he often appears to be “daydreaming” and does not respond when called on in class. The episodes last 5-10 seconds and occur multiple times a day. Afterward, he immediately resumes normal activity without confusion. His parents have also observed these episodes at home, particularly when he is watching television or reading quietly. There have been no convulsions, jerking movements, or loss of muscle tone during these events. The child has no history of head trauma, fever, or developmental delays. His family history is unremarkable for epilepsy or neurological conditions. The parents express concerns about how these seizures might impact their child’s learning and school performance. They ask if there are any triggers they should avoid to reduce the frequency of seizures. They ask if there are any triggers that they should be aware of. Which of the following is a common trigger for absence seizures?
