Abstract

Hypokalaemic paralysis is a clinical syndrome characterised by severe muscular weakness but in cases with severe hypokalaemia may lead to virtually total paralysis including respiratory, bulbar and cranial musculature. Hypokalaemic paralysis can occur as a result of either an alteration in the transcellular distribution of potassium or true potassium depletion as a result of renal or extra renal losses. Methodology- The study was carried out on patients admitted in wards and ICU presenting with Hypokalemic Paralysis at a Tertiary health centre, Solapur. The duration of the study was from September 2019 to August 2021. Total 24 patients were included in the study. Predesigned and pretested case record form was used as tool for data collection. Results- Sporadic periodic paralysis was most common etiology contributing 58.3%, followed by thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (16.6%), familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis (12.5%), excess insulin induce (8.3%), diuretic induce (4.16%). Quadriparesis was most common clinical presentation contributing 83.3%, followed by paraparesis 16.6%. Majority of patients treated with oral plus iv potassium chloride (87.5%), 12.5% treated with oral potassium chloride only and 3 patients (12.5%) required iv magnesium with potassium correction. Conclusion- The commonest causes for hypokalemic paralysis (HP) in our study were sporadic periodic paralysis (SPP) and TPP. Spot urine K+/Cr ratio helps to distinguish the diagnostic categories of HPP and TPP. Sporadic periodic paralysis (SPP) was more common than familial periodic paralysis (FPP) in this study

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