[Hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis with basal electrocardiographic changes]

Abstract

The authors report the case of an 18 year old girl with nocturnal tetraplegia. There was a family history of Westphal periodic paralysis, and a past history of transient paralysis two years previously. The serum potassium was 2.3 mEq/l. The patient was cured by intravenous drip of potassium chloride. There was a reactionary hyperinsulinism. The red cell potassium was lowered. There was a fall in the exchangeable and total potassium pool. The E.C.G. changes; observed during the acute attack of paralysis, persisted afterwards, which is unusual.