A 3-year-old boy "blanked out" and stared off into space without convulsing. What type of seizure might this indicate?

The situation described is consistent with an absence seizure, also known as a petit mal seizure. This type of seizure typically involves a brief loss of consciousness, during which the individual may appear to be staring blankly into space. Absence seizures often last only a few seconds and can go unnoticed by caregivers or even the person experiencing them.

In this case, the fact that the boy "blanked out" and stared off without convulsing aligns well with the characteristics of absence seizures. These episodes can occur multiple times a day and do not show the motor activity typically associated with other seizure types, such as tonic-clonic seizures, which include vigorous muscle contractions and loss of consciousness.

Understanding the nature of absence seizures helps differentiate them from other types of seizures, which may manifest with different signs and symptoms. This distinction is crucial for proper assessment and management of the condition.