Familial Benign Neonatal Sleep Myoclonus

Nonepileptic Paroxysmal Events Occurring During Sleep and Sleep Disorders

“…This maturation may lead to the resolution of the myoclonus. Dysfunctional serotoninergic neurotransmission has also been raised as a possible cause for benign sleep myoclonus of infancy, however this has not been confirmed (Cohen et al 2007). …”

Nonepileptic motor phenomena in the neonate

“…Myoclonus also tends to have a higher amplitude than tremor. Myoclonus can originate from any level of the central nervous system, in particular, the cortex, brainstem and spinal cord (17). In the neonate, epileptic myoclonus is uncommon and is infrequently associated with synchronous discharges on the EEG.…”

“…It tends to occur in healthy, full-term newborns. While it can be seen in any stage of sleep, it tends to occur predominantly in quiet sleep (17,25). Unlike sleep myoclonus in adults, which is usually an asymmetric single jerk, benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is bilateral and repetitive (26).…”

“…Unlike sleep myoclonus in adults, which is usually an asymmetric single jerk, benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is bilateral and repetitive (26). Onset is usually in the first few days of life and usually remits spontaneously by four months of age (17). Unlike tremor and jitteriness, gentle restraint may worsen the myoclonus.…”

“…The underlying mechanism behind benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is poorly understood. One proposed mechanism is immaturity of serotonergic pathways within the brainstem, which normally suppresses movement during sleep (17,26).…”