Benign “Setting Sun” Phenomenon in Full-Term Infants

Abstract

I report two normally developed infants showing benign” setting sun” phenomenon. A 22/12-year-old boy and a 7-year-old boy, who were born without any complications at full term, developed brief episodes of downward gazing during sucking and crying after birth. However, there were no other clinical or laboratory findings, and they developed normally. The phenomenon was not visible until 6 months and 7 months, respectively. The “setting sun” phenomenon usually indicates underlying severe brain damage and can also be seen, although rarely, in healthy full-term infants until 1 to 5 months. However, the benign “setting sun” phenomenon might exist until 6 or 7 months of age in normal infants. ( J Child Neurol 2003;18:424—425).