What is Benign Neonatal Sleep Myoclonus (BNMS)? The Condition That’s Causing Babies to Twitch in Their Sleep
Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is a common neurological disorder in infants. It is harmless and usually disappears by the age of two.
Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is a neurological disorder in which babies may twitch while they are asleep. These twitches can happen any time during the day or night, but they are most common during the first month of life and usually stop by age two.
The twitches are usually caused by an overactive reflex that causes sudden muscle contractions in response to a stimulus such as sound, touch, or position change.
There are various remedies to help with this condition, such as swaddling or letting the baby sleep in their own bed instead of sharing a bed with parents.
What causes Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus?
This condition is usually harmless and will go away as the baby gets older. However, if the twitching does not stop or it becomes more frequent, parents should consult a pediatrician.
The twitching is not epilepsy and does not cause any harm to the baby.
This condition can be caused by a variety of things. One of the most common causes is an immature brain stem and nervous system. Other causes include:
– A lack of oxygen during birth
– Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
– Low blood calcium levels
– Hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone)
– Stressful events such as a difficult delivery or illness in the family
– Exposure to drugs such as cocaine, nicotine, and amphetamines
How to treat benign neonatal sleep myoclonus?
Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is a neurological disorder that causes the baby to have sudden jerks while asleep.
It is a rare condition. It happens in less than one percent of all babies. The symptoms are usually mild and they are not life-threatening, but they can be very distressing for parents.
The treatment of benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is usually with medication, such as clonazepam or other benzodiazepines, which can be given every day or just at night time for the first few weeks of life.
Is benign sleep myoclonus hereditary?
The condition is not considered to be hereditary, but it can be associated with other neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy and epilepsy. It usually disappears by age 4, but it can last for up to 2 years.
What stage of sleep do myoclonic jerks occur?
Myoclonic jerks are a type of seizure that can occur during sleep. They happen when someone is in stage 3 or 4 of non-REM sleep.
Stage 3 and 4 of non-REM sleep are characterized by theta waves, which are slower and higher frequency than alpha waves. These stages are also called “delta” sleep because they are the deepest levels of sleep where the body releases hormones that help promote growth and development.
Myoclonic jerks occur when someone is in stage 3 or 4 of non-REM sleep, which is also called delta sleep because it’s the deepest level of sleep where hormones that promote growth and development are released.
How long does sleep myoclonus last?
The jerks are usually brief, lasting only a few seconds, and happen during REM sleep. Sleep myoclonus is most common in people with Parkinson’s disease but it can also occur in other neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and stroke.