A 15-year-old boy was hospitalized on 13/4 at Children's Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City after suddenly experiencing weakness and paralysis in his limbs, rendering him unable to walk. His blood potassium level was critically low at 1,5 mmol/L, far below the normal range of 4-5 mmol/L, and an electrocardiogram revealed a heart arrhythmia. His family reported that about six months prior, he had a similar episode of flaccid paralysis that lasted one day and resolved spontaneously, but they did not seek medical attention.

He was diagnosed with periodic paralysis caused by hypokalemia. Treatment involved intravenous potassium infusion combined with oral supplements. After nearly one week of treatment, his condition significantly improved, with muscle strength recovering to near-normal levels. He was able to walk again and was discharged, receiving guidance on diet, lifestyle, and long-term monitoring.

According to Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien, Deputy Director of Children's Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, periodic paralysis caused by hypokalemia is a rare condition, affecting approximately one in 100,000 people. This condition triggers sudden episodes of muscle weakness that can impact the entire body, though patients remain conscious throughout.

Several factors can trigger these paralysis episodes, including high-intensity exercise, excessive consumption of carbohydrates and sugar, stress, prolonged fasting, or cold weather. Episodes typically occur every few weeks to months, lasting from a few hours to several days.

In mild cases, patients can receive oral potassium supplements. However, if severe hypokalemia leads to heart arrhythmia or respiratory failure, intravenous infusion is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications.

Doctors recommend that individuals experiencing similar symptoms seek early medical consultation for diagnosis and monitoring. To prevent future episodes, it is advisable to limit overexertion, avoid excessive carbohydrate intake, and maintain a diet rich in potassium, including foods like bananas, oranges, potatoes, beans, and fish. Patients should also strictly adhere to prescribed treatments. Furthermore, individuals with this condition must inform medical staff about their history when undergoing surgery or other procedures to ensure appropriate potassium level management and prevent dangerous complications.

Le Phuong