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Benign Neonatal Sleep Myoclonus

Description

Spontaneous twitching or jerking of the arms, legs, or trunk of a neonate during quiet sleep is called benign neonatal sleep myoclonus. This condition, occurring in infants from birth to four weeks of age, is both benign and temporary, lasting from only a few days to a few weeks. These quick jerks, normally in sets of four or five, can occur in any part of the body, but usually occur in the arms or legs. The cause of these motions are unknown.

Diagnosis

An infant with this condition will have several series of muscle tremors or twitches, usually in the arms or legs, during sleep. These very brief movements happen in infants that are very young (only a few weeks in age) during quiet sleep, in children with no known medical condition or sleep conditions that produce muscle jerks during sleep.

Treatment

Because this condition is benign and short-lived, there is no known treatment for the condition.

Source: Adapted from International Classification of Sleep Disorders Diagnostic & Coding Manual, American Academy of Sleep Medicine.