title: A case of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis as initial manifestation of Graves' disease in a 16-year-old Korean adolescent.
abstract: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare complication of hyperthyroidism, with recurrent muscle paralysis and hypokalemia that are caused by an intracellular shift of potassium. TPP is relatively common in Asian males, but is extremely rare in children and adolescents, even for those of Asian descent. We describe a 16-year-old Korean adolescent presenting with a two-week history of episodic leg weakness in the morning. He showed sinus tachycardia, lower leg weakness, and hypokalemia. Thyroid function test showed hyperthyroidism, and thyroid ultrasonography revealed a diffuse enlarged thyroid with increased vascularity, consistent with Graves' disease. He was treated with β-adrenergic blocker and antithyroid drugs. He has been symptom free for one year, as his hyperthyroidism has been controlled well with antithyroid drugs. TPP should be considered in children and adolescents with acute paralysis of the lower extremities and hypokalemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Se Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Chul
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neprhology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Wook
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ho-Seong
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ah Reum
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kwon
keywords: Adolescent; Graves' disease; Korean; Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis