![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Downbeat nystagmus (DBN) has been associated with pathologic as well as idiopathic conditions. DBN may occur during infancy or childhood or may be congenital. In all reported cases, the DBN persisted. The authors report an infant with DBN that resolved within the first year of life.
The patient's DBN was observed by six weeks of age. The patient preferred to keep her head in a chin-down position. Her physical and neurologic examination was otherwise normal. Family history contained no nystagmus. The DBN was documented by both vertical DC electro-oculography and infrared oculography. The DBN slow phases were predominantly of constant velocity. Subsquent magnetic resonance imaging studies and metabolic investigations were negative. The DBN was clinically undetectable at nine months of age. A repeat oculographic study at one year of age confirmed the resolution of DBN.
It is suggested that, in this case, DBN was caused by an immaturity of central connections associated with the vertical canal pathways and its resolution paralleled their later maturation.