Alcohol withdrawal and hypokalaemia: a case report.
A case is presented where a 25-year-old man developed a serious hypokalaemia (K(+) 2.2 mmol/l) during alcohol withdrawal, despite intravenous saline treatment and normal feeding. As hypokalaemia can be symptom-free, we want to draw attention to the combination of vomiting, malnutrition and alcohol withdrawal, as these can cause lethal complications. We therefore recommend that potassium serum level should be routinely monitored during alcohol withdrawal, even when this is being managed in the community.
Burin
M R
MR
St. Martin's Hospital, Canterbury, Kent and Kent Institute of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7PD, UK.
Cook
C C
CC
D000328:Adult; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000431:Ethanol; D011189:Potassium Chloride