Febrile Myoclonus: A Missed Clinical Diagnosis

Myoclonic jerks presenting with fever have only rarely been reported and have often been misdiagnosed as febrile seizures. The presentation may be dramatic enough to provoke unnecessary investigation and treatment. Considering the benign nature of this condition, it is important that the condition is recognized by the physician so that hospitalisation and diagnostic procedures such as lumbar puncture and electroencephalogram are prevented. The authors report three cases of febrile myoclonus and review the subject.