Paediatricsmiddle twist
A 6-year-old girl is referred because her teacher has noticed her stopping mid-sentence and staring for a few seconds, then carrying on as though nothing had happened; this occurs 20 or more times a day. She does not fall, is not confused afterwards, and has had no other kind of seizure. Her development and neurological examination are normal. Asking her to blow steadily on a paper windmill for two minutes in the clinic reproduces an episode. The electroencephalogram shows generalised 3 per second spike-and-wave activity. Which one of the following should be started?