Video reveals self-stimulation in infancy

The medical literature on early childhood masturbation is sparse. Only 12 patients who presented with infantile self-stimulation under the age of 1 y are described. During the last 2 y, five girls under 1 y of age presented at our department with self-stimulating behaviour. The diagnosis of this behaviour was difficult, but could be made by watching a video of the attacks. Infantile self-stimulation is often misdiagnosed and unnecessary investigations and useless treatments are often prescribed. Video recording can be of great help to put forward the correct diagnosis. Masturbation is not so uncommon and treatment consists mostly in reassuring the parents. It can, however, be associated with behavioural problems. Few data are available on the clinical outcome of childhood masturbation, but most children seem to develop normally. Conclusion: Infantile self-stimulation should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of "strange episodes or attacks".