Petit mal status is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome of nonconvulsive status epilepticus. The EEG accompaniment is likewise heterogeneous. Petit mal status occurs at all ages. The characteristics of this syndrome are quite nonspecific and consist of (a) behavioral changes, usually associated with lethargy, slowness, and decreased mental function, (b) abnormal generalized continuous or nearly continuous epileptiform EEG activity, and (c) absence of gross tonic-clonic activity or highly lateralized clonic activity. These criteria do not distinguish petit mal status from complex partial status. Clinical evidence for abruptness of recovery and EEG evidence for localization are required for this distinction, an important factor in therapeutic decisions.
失神持续状态是一种非惊厥性癫痫持续状态的异质性临床综合征。其脑电图表现同样具有异质性。失神持续状态可发生于任何年龄。该综合征的特征相当不具特异性，包括：(a)行为改变，通常伴有嗜睡、迟缓及精神功能减退；(b)异常的全身性持续性或近乎持续性癫痫样脑电图活动；(c)无明显的强直阵挛活动或高度局灶性阵挛活动。这些标准无法将失神持续状态与复杂部分性持续状态区分开来。做出这种区分需要恢复突然性的临床证据和定位的脑电图证据，这是治疗决策中的一个重要因素。
