Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Benign sleep myoclonus
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Benign sleep myoclonus: A distinctive disorder of sleep in infancy characterized by rhythmic myoclonic jerks (sudden muscle contractions) which occur when the child is asleep and which stop when the child is awakened. Sleep myoclonus usually disappears after a few weeks, in most cases by 3 months of age, as the sleep patterns mature. Benign sleep myoclonus may be mistaken for epilepsy.