During a 3‐y period 13 newborns were referred for investigation of jerks. The events were epileptic in six children. The diagnosis of benign neonatal sleep myoclonus was made in the remaining seven children. Conclusion: Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is an important neonatal entity that can be mistaken for epilepsy.

Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is an important neonatal entity that can be mistaken for epilepsy.

A 2-month-old infant with hereditary hyperekplexia, umbilical and bilateral inguinal hernias and history of poor feeding was noted to have severe normotensive metabolic alkalosis: sodium 132 mmol/L, potassium 3.4 mmol/L, chloride 77 mmol/L, pH 7.55, carbon dioxide tension 56.3 mmHg and bicarbonate 48.0 mmol/L. After parenteral rehydration and treatment with clonazepam, laboratory parameters normalized.