A nervous disorder marked by intermittent tonic spasms that are usually paroxysmal and involve the extremities.

It may occur in infants; especially, newborns in intensive care units. High risk infants include premature newborns of diabetic mothers and those who have had perinatal asphyxia (suffocation as a result of physical blockage of the airway or inhalation of toxic gases, causing a lack of oxygen and unconsciousness).