Why the study?
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare channelopathy causing sudden flaccid muscle weakness and hypokalemia, reported to remind clinicians of this condition in hypokalemic patients with paralysis.
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with acute muscle weakness and flaccid paralysis, which can be effectively reversed with potassium supplementation.
Supports considering hypokalemic periodic paralysis in acute weakness; single case leaves open need for prospective validation.
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) is a rare disease. Due to channelopathy caused by mutations in skeletal muscle ion channels, episodes of sudden flaccid muscle weakness and hypokalemia develop as a result of various trigger factors. The present study reports the case of a 25-year-old male patient with HPP admitted with acute onset numbness and paralysis in the extremities accompanying hypokalemia (2.66 mEq/l). The patient became asymptomatic following treatment with a potassium (K) supplement and was diagnosed with HPP. The present study describes this case of HPP in an aim to remind colleagues of the possibility of HPP in hypokalemic patients with muscle weakness and flaccid paralysis.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Paydaş et al. (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: