GRATIFICATION DISORDER (INFANTILE/CHILDHOOD MASTURBATION WITH POSTURING) IN A 5 YEAR OLD FEMALE CHILD

Abstract

Childhood masturbation or gratification disorder may mimic true epileptic seizures. It is considered as one of the paroxysmal non-epileptic disorders (PNEDs) in infants and children, which incorporate several potential diagnoses. Infants and children mostly present with unusual postures and movements with no impairment of awareness which could be mistaken for seizures or movement disorders like dystonia. Older children may have associated self-stimulation of the genitalia. If not recognized on time, childhood masturbation could pose diagnostic difficulties, unnecessary investigative spending, unnecessary treatments, and considerable parental anxiety. The aim of this case report is to discuss a 5 years old female child who presented with abnormal posturing and movement since the age of 6 months.