Spasmus nutans syndrome

General: Etiology unknown; both sexes affected; onset between ages 6 and 18 months; disappears during sleep; aggravated by cold weather; spontaneous disappearance by age 3 or 4 years; it is not clear whether head nodding is a compensatory mechanism to control the nystagmus or an involuntary movement of pathologic origin.

Ocular: Bilateral nystagmus; attempt at gaze fixation intensifies manifestations.

Clinical: Rhythmic movements of head in upright position.

Gottlob I, et al. Head nodding is compensatory in spasmus nutans. Ophthalmology 1992; 99: 1024-l 031.

Magalini SI, Scrascia E. Dictionary of Medical Syndromes, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott, 1981.