Petit mal status

This code describes a prolonged or recurrent state of absence seizures without full recovery of consciousness between episodes. It represents a non-convulsive status epilepticus characterized by impaired awareness, staring spells, and subtle motor automatisms.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a patient is experiencing continuous or rapidly recurring absence seizures, leading to a sustained alteration of consciousness. This typically involves electroencephalogram (EEG) findings consistent with generalized spike-and-wave discharges.

• Differentiate from typical absence seizures (345.0x) which are brief and self-limiting.
• Requires physician documentation of "status epilepticus" or "petit mal status."
• Always consider sequencing with any underlying cause of the epilepsy.