Shuddering attacks in children

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Abstract
Six infants and children presenting with shuddering attacks had evidence and a family history of essential tremor. Although this association was not recognized, the shuddering spells caused considerable concern and led to a wide range of diagnoses. The attacks started in infancy or early childhood, were brief, often associated with some posturing, and may be very frequent. They were benign and tended to become less frequent or to remit during the latter part of the 1st decade. The recognition of this syndrome should avoid unnecessary investigation and concern. The pathophysiology of shuddering attacks seems to represent an expression of the mechanism of essential tremor in the immature brain. The ultimate nature of these attacks will undoubtedly be clarified when a neurochemical basis for essential tremor is found.

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