====== Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus ======
  * common non-epileptic condition misdiagnosed as epileptic seizures and even as [[infantile spasms]].
  * Onset is from the first day to 3 weeks of life with a peak at the seventh day
===== Clinical features =====
  * The myoclonus occurs during non-REM sleep in otherwise normal neonates
  * mainly affects the distal parts of the upper extremities with the lower limbs and axial muscles less often involved
  * the myoclonic jerks, synchronous or asynchronous, unilateral or bilateral, mild or violent, usually last for 10–20 s
  * occasionally they may occur in repetitive clusters of 2–3 s for 30 min or longer imitating myoclonic status epilepticus or a series of epileptic fits
  * the myoclonic jerks may get worse with gentle restraint
  * they abruptly stop when the child is awakened
  * sleep is not disturbed
  * not associated with apnoea, autonomic disturbances, automatisms, eye deviation, oral–buccal–lingual movements or crying.
  * normal neurology

===== Aetiology =====

  * unknown
  * does not appear to be familial
  * likely to be generated in the brain stem.

===== Diagnosis =====

  * all investigations including sleep EEG are normal

===== Differential Diagnosis =====

  * [[content:neonatal_seizures|neonatal seizures]]
  * [[hyperekplexia]]
  * [[content:benign_non-epileptic_myoclonus_of_early_infancy|Benign non-epileptic myoclonus of early infancy]] (benign non-epileptic infantile spasms)
===== Prognosis =====

  * excellent with the myoclonus commonly remitting by the age of 2–7 months.

===== Treatment =====
  * no need for any treatment
  * minute doses of clonazepam before bed are often beneficial[(:cite:panayitopoulos2005>Panayiotopoulos CP. (2005). **The Epilepsies: Seizures, Syndromes and Management**. Oxfordshire (UK): Bladon Medical Publishing)]. Other anti-epileptic drugs are contraindicated.