Benign familial infantile convulsions (BFIC), also known as benign familial infantile epilepsy, is a rare condition of autosomal dominantly inherited idiopathic epilepsy with onset at age three to 12 months. Episodes of multiple seizures tend to occur over a day or few days, and are characterized by psychomotor arrest, slow deviation of the head and eyes to one side, and asynchronous limb jerks.
The diagnosis is based on electroencephalogram (EEG) test that is used to measure the electrical activity of the brain. In some affected individuals, the EEG shows a specific abnormality called the theta pointu alternant pattern. However, patients with benign familial neonatal seizures (BFIC) usually have normal EEG readings. Anticonvulsant drugs are often prescribed, and are effective at controlling the seizures, but they are not necessary.