Neuropediatrics 2003; 34(3): 152-155
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41275
Short Communication

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

An Unusual Case of Benign Reflex Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy

M. A. Kurian 1 , M. D. King 1
  • 1Department of Paediatric Neurology, The Children's Hospital, Dublin, Eire
Further Information

Publication History

Received: July 23, 2002

Accepted after Revision: March 14, 2003

Publication Date:
11 August 2003 (online)

Abstract

A previously healthy one-year-old boy, the youngest child of unrelated parents, presented with a four-week history of episodes of myoclonus triggered only by tactile stimulation to his head. There had been no loss of developmental skills. The electroencephalogram (EEG) revealed generalised polyspike wave activity both with and without clinical correlate. The infant was started on sodium valproate, which resulted in cessation of the myoclonic episodes one week after starting therapy. At subsequent follow-up (at 18 months) the infant was seizure free and a repeat EEG was normal. This case of non-progressive reflex myoclonic epilepsy of infancy triggered only by head tapping (and not by acoustic stimuli) is an extremely rare phenomenon. Reflex myoclonic epilepsy of infancy represents a distinct subtype of myoclonic epilepsy in infancy. It should be considered as an age-dependent idiopathic generalised epileptic syndrome with an apparently good prognosis.

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Dr. Mary D. King

Department of Paediatric Neurology
The Children's University Hospital

Temple Street

Dublin 1

Eire

Email: mary.king@tsch.ie

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