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Epileptic fits or infantile masturbation?
C H Wulff1, J R Ostergaard, K Storm
1Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
Insights
Infant seizure-like episodes were initially concerning but diagnosed as non-epileptic masturbatory activity. This highlights the importance of careful observation in pediatric neurology.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infant Development
- Behavioral Pediatrics
Background:
- Differentiating infantile paroxysmal events from non-epileptic behaviors is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
- Stereotyped motor activities in infants can mimic epileptic seizures, leading to diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- Two infants presented with frequent, stereotyped motor episodes, moaning, grunting, and altered awareness, initially suspected as epileptic seizures.
- Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were normal during episodes, and one infant did not respond to antiepileptic drugs.
Findings:
- Careful review of videotaped episodes and clinical presentation led to the diagnosis of infantile masturbatory activity.
- The motor patterns, vocalizations, and autonomic signs were consistent with self-gratifying behavior rather than epilepsy.
Implications:
- This case underscores the need for a broad differential diagnosis in infants presenting with seizure-like activity.
- Recognizing infantile masturbatory behavior can prevent unnecessary investigations and treatments for epilepsy.
- Understanding normal variations in infant behavior is essential for pediatricians and neurologists.
Abstract:
Two infants, one girl, 5 months old, and one boy, 6 months old, presented with rhythmic and sustained motor activities of a stereotyped nature accompanied by moaning and grunting, facial flushing and altered awareness. The episodes occurred frequently and were initially believed to be epileptic. Normal electroencephalograms during the fits, lack of response to antiepileptic medication given to one child and careful reviewing of videotape recordings, enabled us eventually to diagnose the 'seizure-like' episodes as masturbatory activity.