Gina Johnson
It is common for newborns to shake or twitch while sleeping, and it is usually harmless. However, it can be distressing for parents to witness. Twitching in sleep is often a benign phenomenon called sleep myoclonus, which is no more dangerous than hiccups. It is believed that twitching during REM sleep is linked to sensorimotor development, with twitches activating circuits in the developing brain and teaching newborns about their limbs. While sleep twitching is usually benign, there are some instances where it can indicate a more serious issue, such as pediatric periodic limb movement disorder or benign familial neonatal seizures. If you are concerned about your newborn's shaking or twitching, it is important to speak to a healthcare provider.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Twitching is common in newborns, especially from birth to 6 months of age |
| Cause | The newborn's nervous system is not yet fully developed |
| Impact | Twitching may be linked to sensorimotor development, teaching newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them |
| Concerns | In rare cases, twitching can indicate a more serious issue such as benign familial neonatal seizures (BFNS) or pediatric periodic limb movement disorder |
| Advice | If concerned, parents should speak to a medical professional and consider taking a video of the movements to bring to the appointment |
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What You'll Learn
- Twitching is normal and linked to sensorimotor development
- Myoclonic jerks are common in newborns up to 6 months
- Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is harmless but may look like epilepsy
- Pediatric periodic limb movement disorder may be indicated
- Intermittent breathing is common but can indicate respiratory distress
Twitching is normal and linked to sensorimotor development
It is understandable that parents might worry about twitching or shaking movements in their newborn while sleeping. However, rest assured that twitching is indeed normal and very common in newborns. In fact, twitching is an important part of a newborn's sensorimotor development and helps shape the development of their young brains.
Twitching during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is believed to be linked to sensorimotor development. During REM sleep, the sleeping body twitches and activates circuits throughout the developing brain, teaching newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them. Researchers have found that twitches during REM sleep trigger activity in the spinal cord, sensory and motor areas, and the hippocampus. This suggests that the brain is paying more attention to these twitches than to wake movements.
The University of Iowa researchers are currently studying sleep twitches in human babies. They have recruited infants between the ages of two weeks and 18 months and are observing them while they sleep. Early observations show intriguing relationships between twitching and the skills that babies are developing. For example, researchers have observed a relationship between infants' neck twitches during sleep and their ability to support their heads while awake. As babies grow and develop, these twitching movements become more natural and less frequent.
While twitching is usually a sign of healthy development, there are some cases where twitching can indicate a more serious issue. If you are concerned about jerky movements when your baby is asleep, it is important to talk to your child's healthcare provider and bring a video of the movements to your appointment.
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Myoclonic jerks are common in newborns up to 6 months
It is normal for newborns to shake while sleeping. This phenomenon is called benign neonatal sleep myoclonus (BNSM) and is characterised by myoclonic jerks or twitches that occur during sleep. These myoclonic jerks are common in newborns up to 6 months of age and typically begin during the first month of life, diminishing in the second month. In some cases, they may persist for longer, but they are usually gone by the time the baby is 6 months old.
Myoclonic jerks are repetitive, brief, and jerky movements that can occur in the arms, legs, or face of newborns. They are often fragmented, occurring in clusters of jerks over a few seconds, and they only occur during sleep. These jerks can be triggered by noise or by rocking the infant, and they cease abruptly when the baby wakes up. In most cases, myoclonic jerks are benign and do not require treatment. However, it is important to distinguish them from epileptic seizures, which can also occur during infancy.
The pathogenesis of benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is not yet fully understood. It is believed that a disturbance in the reticular activating system could play a role, and genetic factors may also contribute. In some cases, myoclonic jerks may be related to drug withdrawal, neonatal abstinence syndrome, or exposure to opioids or sedatives in utero. To rule out any underlying conditions, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider and consider performing an electroencephalogram (EEG) to evaluate brain activity.
Researchers have suggested that myoclonic jerks during sleep may be linked to sensorimotor development. They believe that the twitches activate circuits throughout the developing brain, teaching newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them. By studying these twitches, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of typical brain development and identify potential clues to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
If you are concerned about your newborn's jerky movements during sleep, it is important to talk to your child's healthcare provider. They may recommend further evaluation or provide reassurance based on the specific characteristics of your baby's movements and their overall health.
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Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is harmless but may look like epilepsy
It is normal for newborns to exhibit twitching or jerking movements during sleep. This phenomenon is known as benign neonatal sleep myoclonus, and it is characterised by repetitive, rhythmic myoclonic jerks that occur during sleep. The condition typically resolves by 3 months of age and is considered harmless. However, it is important to distinguish between benign neonatal sleep myoclonus and epilepsy, as they may present similar symptoms.
Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is a sleep-related movement disorder that occurs in very young infants. It is characterised by myoclonic jerks or twitches that can occur multiple times during sleep. These movements most often occur in the arms, legs, or core, and less commonly in the face. In some cases, the whole body may be involved. The jerks are usually symmetrical, involving muscle groups on both sides of the body. They are typically induced by rocking the infant or exposure to repetitive sound stimuli.
While benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is considered harmless, it may be difficult to distinguish from epilepsy without measuring brain waves. Electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) can be used to investigate brain and muscle activity, and studies have shown that while the muscles twitch in a similar way to seizures, the brain waves in benign neonatal sleep myoclonus do not resemble those of seizures. This distinction is important, as misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary treatment with anticonvulsant medications, which may exacerbate the movements.
The exact cause of benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is unknown, but it is believed to be related to the development of the nervous system and the protective sheath around the spinal cord. Researchers hypothesise that the movements may occur when the protective sheath around the spinal cord has not yet fully developed, allowing impulses to be carried out that would normally be impeded. Additionally, there may be a genetic component, as the condition has been reported in multiple family members. While it can occur in infants of mothers who do not use drugs, it is more commonly seen in babies born to mothers with opioid addiction.
In summary, benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is a harmless condition that may cause newborns to shake or twitch during sleep. While it can be concerning for parents, it is important to know that it is distinct from epilepsy and typically resolves on its own by 3 months of age. If you observe unusual movements in your newborn during sleep, it is always best to consult with your child's healthcare provider for proper evaluation and diagnosis.
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Pediatric periodic limb movement disorder may be indicated
It is quite common for newborns to exhibit jerky movements while sleeping. Researchers believe that twitches during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are linked to sensorimotor development. In other words, when a newborn's body twitches during sleep, it is activating circuits throughout the developing brain and teaching them about their limbs and what they can do with them.
However, if you are concerned about the shaking or jerky movements of your baby while they are asleep, it is important to consult your child's healthcare provider. You can also take a video of these movements to show to the healthcare provider, which will help them determine whether any testing is required.
While periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) have been documented in multiple pediatric publications, periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is a distinct pediatric sleep disorder that is less commonly reported and discussed. PLMD is a sleep disorder resulting from frequent limb movements during sleep, and it can cause insomnia and other sleep disturbances. Children with PLMD are usually unaware of their limb movements, but parents may observe them. PLMD is diagnosed when the following criteria are met:
- PLMS documented by polysomnography
- PLMS exceeding norms for age (at least 5 per hour for children)
- Clinical sleep disturbance or daytime fatigue
- Absence of another primary sleep disorder or reason for the PLMS, including RLS and OSA
PLMD has been observed in children with certain conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), iron deficiency, and chronic renal failure. Some medications, such as benzodiazepine and dopaminergic medication, have been used to treat PLMD in children, although more research is needed in this area.
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Intermittent breathing is common but can indicate respiratory distress
It is common for newborns to experience twitching and jerking movements during sleep. These movements are known as benign neonatal sleep myoclonus or benign sleep myoclonus and are typically harmless. They are often a result of the infant's developing nervous system and are linked to sensorimotor development. However, it is important to monitor your baby's sleep patterns and behaviours and seek medical advice if you are concerned.
Intermittent breathing, or "periodic breathing", is common in newborns and can be attributed to their immature chemical sensors that detect carbon dioxide. This means that newborns may pause their breathing until carbon dioxide levels rise high enough to trigger the sensors to breathe again. While this is normal, it is important to recognise signs of respiratory distress. If your baby is turning blue, purple, or grey around the lips or fingernails, go to the emergency room as they may not be getting enough oxygen.
Respiratory distress can also be indicated by other symptoms such as a stuffy nose, which is common in newborns due to hormones. Nasal congestion can impact your baby's breathing, and while newborns are susceptible to colds, it is important to monitor their breathing and seek medical advice if concerned.
While benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is generally harmless, it is understandable that seeing your baby shake or twitch in their sleep can be concerning. If you are worried about your newborn's breathing or any other sleep-related issues, it is always best to speak to your child's healthcare provider for personalised advice and guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is normal for newborns to shake or twitch while sleeping. A newborn’s nervous system isn’t fully developed, so they may experience twitching and jerking movements at night and when napping. As your baby grows and develops, these movements become more natural and less twitchy.
Twitching during sleep is believed to be linked to sensorimotor development. When the sleeping body twitches, it activates circuits throughout the developing brain and teaches newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them.
While sleep twitching is very common and mostly harmless, it is important to talk to your child's healthcare provider if you are concerned. Take a video of the movements and bring it to your appointment so that the healthcare provider can determine whether any testing is needed.
Newborns can appear to stop breathing momentarily due to "periodic breathing", which is common as their lungs are small relative to the size of their bodies. They may also experience stuffy noses and bloody spit-up, which are usually not something to worry about.
Yes, in some cases, twitching or shaking while sleeping can indicate a more serious issue such as pediatric periodic limb movement disorder, benign familial neonatal seizures, or epilepsy. If you are concerned about your newborn's shaking, please speak to a medical professional.
