Childhood absence epilepsy, the most common pediatric epilepsy syndrome, is usually treated with ethosuximide, valproic acid, or lamotrigine.
Ethosuximide and valproic acid are more effective than lamotrigine in the treatment of childhood absence epilepsy. Ethosuximide is associated with fewer adverse attentional effects.
References:
Ethosuximide, Valproic Acid, and Lamotrigine in Childhood Absence Epilepsy. NEJM, 2010.