What type of seizure is characterized by brief episodes where the child appears to be daydreaming and "blanks out"?

The scenario described is indicative of an absence seizure, also known as a petit mal seizure. In these types of seizures, the individual often experiences brief episodes of staring or 'blanking out,' which can last only a few seconds. During these episodes, the person is typically unaware of their surroundings and does not respond to external stimuli. This is particularly common in children and can be mistaken for daydreaming.

Absence seizures differ significantly from other types of seizures. A partial seizure, for instance, may involve more localized activity in one part of the brain and can result in a variety of symptoms, including motor or sensory changes, but does not typically present as simply staring blankly. Grand mal seizures, or generalized tonic-clonic seizures, involve loss of consciousness, muscle rigidity, and violent muscle contractions, with a much longer duration and more pronounced physical manifestations. Jacksonian seizures are a type of focal seizure that may result in specific movements or sensations in one side of the body and can progress to involve larger areas, contrasting with the sudden, brief nature of absence seizures.

Thus, the defining characteristic of the child's brief episodes of daydreaming and blank expressions aligns precisely with the description of absence seizures.