Two cases of Hypokalemic Paralysis due to Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis

  • Anoop John Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore.
  • SP Santhosh Kumar Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore
  • KB Rojith Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore
  • D K Sivakumar Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore.
  • T Geetha, MD Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore
  • S Avudiappan, MD Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore
  • Isaac Christian Moses, MD Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore
  • S Usha, MD Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore
Keywords: Paralysis, Acidosis, Hypokalemia, Renal tubular acidosis, Hypokalemic periodic paralysis

Abstract

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare disorder characterized by transient attacks of flaccid paralysis of varying intensity and frequency. Although mostly familial in etiology, several sporadic cases have been reported, including some resulting from renal tubular acidosis. Here we present two cases, first of a 55 yr. old woman with recurrent attacks of flaccid paralysis, and the second, of a 16 yr. Old girl who presented with flaccid quadriparesis with no similar history in the past, both of whom on evaluation turned out to be secondary hypokalemic periodic paralysis caused by Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA). As the clinical appearance of hypokalemic paralysis distal RTA is quite similar to Familial Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis (FPP), and because the emergent and prophylactic treatment of the two disorders is quite different, we discuss the diagnostic evaluation and the treatment of distal renal tubular acidosis.

Author Biographies

Anoop John, Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore.

Resident, Department of General Medicine

SP Santhosh Kumar, Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore

Junior Resident, Department of General Medicine

KB Rojith, Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore

Resident, Department of General Medicine

D K Sivakumar, Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore.

Junior Resident, Department of General Medicine

T Geetha, MD, Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore

Associate Professor, Department of General Medicine

S Avudiappan, MD, Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore

Associate Professor, Department of General Medicine

Isaac Christian Moses, MD, Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore

Professor, Department of General Medicine,

S Usha, MD, Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore

Professor, Department of General Medicine

Published
2012-09-27
How to Cite
John, A., Kumar, S., Rojith, K., Sivakumar, D., Geetha, T., Avudiappan, S., Moses, I., & Usha, S. (2012). Two cases of Hypokalemic Paralysis due to Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis. Kerala Medical Journal, 5(3), 75-78. https://doi.org/10.52314/kmj.2012.v5i3.267
Section
Case Series / Case Report