Shuddering Attacks in an Infant

Shuddering attacks are rare benign nonepileptic paroxysmal events (NEPEs) seen in infancy and early childhood. These movements may look like myoclonus or infantile spasms. Recognition of these movements is important to avoid elaborate workup and antiepileptic medications. Shuddering attacks disappear by the age of 2 years in most of these children. NEPEs are almost as common as epilepsy. It is easy to differentiate the common NEPEs from epilepsy. However, it is difficult to diagnose the rare benign NEPEs not seen before. Shuddering attacks are one of these rare NEPEs. It is commonly diagnosed as infantile spasms/myoclonus unless one observes the actual event or video very carefully.