Hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis in a child with Bartter's syndrome

Pediatr Nephrol. 2005 Aug;20(8):1189-91. doi: 10.1007/s00467-005-1916-7. Epub 2005 Jun 8.

Abstract

Hypokalemia represents a rare cause of rhabdomyolysis. Some reports have described a few adult patients affected by Bartter's syndrome and Gitelman's syndrome with rhabdomyolysis due to severe hypokalemia. We report the first pediatric patient with Bartter's syndrome in whom rhabdomyolysis developed when her plasma potassium level was less than 2 mEq/l. Prompt intravenous fluid and potassium prevented tubular damage and acute renal failure. We recommend determining serum creatine phosphokinase in all patients affected by Bartter's syndrome and profound hypokalemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bartter Syndrome / complications*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Creatine Kinase / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypokalemia / etiology*
  • Hypokalemia / physiopathology
  • Kidney / physiopathology
  • Rhabdomyolysis / etiology*

Substances

  • Creatine Kinase