Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus

Epileptic Disord. 2008 Jun;10(2):177-80. doi: 10.1684/epd.2008.0196.

Abstract

Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is a non-epileptic disorder. This phenomenon of the first weeks of life is characterized by erratic myoclonic jerks occurring only during sleep and with no electroencephalographic changes. It is not associated with perinatal complications, disappears spontaneously within two to four months, and it does not compromise future development. We illustrate with a video this relatively frequent condition, which is often misdiagnosed as epileptic in nature, and discuss the clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrocardiography
  • Electroencephalography
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Parasomnias / diagnosis
  • Parasomnias / physiopathology*
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Status Epilepticus / physiopathology