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Parasomnia with rhythmic movements manifesting as nocturnal tongue biting
1Abteilung für Präoperative Diagnostik, Epilepsie-Zentrum Bethel, Klinik Mara 1, Maraweg, Germany.
Insights
A rare case of a child experiencing nocturnal tongue biting due to rhythmic movement disorders (RMD) is presented. This highlights the importance of differentiating RMD from seizures to prevent unnecessary medical interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Parasomnias involving rhythmic stereotyped movements are common in children.
- Rhythmic Movement Disorders (RMD) encompass behaviors like head banging, body rocking, and leg rolling.
- Severe injuries can occur with RMD, but tongue injuries are not previously documented.
Abstract:
The case of a healthy 2-year-old girl with repeated nocturnal tongue biting as a result of rhythmic movements of the jaw associated with body rocking in non-REM sleep is described. Parasomnias manifesting with rhythmic, stereotyped movements of the head, trunk and extremities are well described in healthy children. The term rhythmic movement disorders (RMD) was introduced for these repetive movements in sleep which may appear as head banging (jactatio capitis), body rocking or leg rolling. Severe injuries including fractures, subdural effusions and eye injures are reported. Repeated tongue injuries have not been described as a consequence of RMD. The differential diagnosis from nocturnal seizures is crucial to avoid overtreatment of this benign albeit dramatically presenting condition.