Benign Neonatal Sleep Myoclonus Mimicking Status Epilepticus

Abstract

Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is a self-limited movement disorder characterized by neonatal-onset myoclonic jerks only during sleep, abrupt and consistent cessation with arousal, and absence of concomitant electrographic changes suggestive of seizures. It has a good outcome and was included in the differential diagnosis of neonatal seizures. A presumed transient serotonin imbalance and genetic factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. We report a case of benign neonatal sleep myoclonus mimicking status epilepticus in an infant with a family history of nocturnal myoclonus, tic disorder, and sleep disturbance. We suggest that this benign entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of status epilepticus during the newborn period. (J Child Neurol 2004;19:62—63).