Volume : IX, Issue : IX, September - 2019

HYPOKALEMIC PARALYSIS DUE TO HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM: A MATERNAL NEAR MISS

Sonal Garg, Paapa Dasari

Abstract :

Background: Hypokalemia is one of the complications of hyperemesis gravidarum which can lead to severe morbidity and mortality if unrecognized. Hypokalemic paralysis is rare and this case is reported as it occurred in a woman with prolonged duration of vomiting with less frequency. Case: A 28 years old primigravida at 15 weeks of gestation was admitted with hyperemesis gravidarum of 3 months duration through OPD. On admission her pulse rate was 150 bpm and BP was 140/80 mm Hg and her urine ketone were positive. Ultrasound revealed single fetus corresponding to the period of gestation. She was managed with intravenous fluids and injectable antiemetics and her haematological and biochemical profile was done on emergency basis. Her serum potassium was <2.5 mEq/L and the reports were not accessed immediately and acted up on. After 12 hours of admission she suddenly developed neck rigidity and weakness of lower limbs which further deteriorated and she was unable to stand up and walk. She was shifted to ICU and repeat serum potassium was 2.3 mEq/L and ECG showed T wave inversion. She was diagnosed as hypokalemic paralysis. Hypokalemia correction was done by 20 mEq of potassium in 500 ml normal saline slowly over 4 hours and her potassium was normalized to 3.7 mEq/L in 24 hours time. She recovered completely after 24 hours and was able to walk. Conclusion: Hypokalemia results in severe morbidity and women are asymptomatic until the levels are dangerously low. It can even result in maternal mortality (a reported in literature) if unrecognized and not corrected timely and hence it is a maternal near miss.

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Article: Download PDF    DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

HYPOKALEMIC PARALYSIS DUE TO HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM: A MATERNAL NEAR MISS, Sonal Garg, Paapa Dasari INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH : Volume-9 | Issue-9 | September-2019

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