Asymptomatic hyperkalemia as a form of presentation of pseudohypoaldosteronism.

Abstract

In the paediatric age group, hyperkalaemia tends to be asymptomatic, so serum potassium levels greater than 5.5 mEq/L should be verified and investigated, as they may be indicative of potentially severe diseases, as occurred in the case presented here.1 The patient was a boy aged 5 years with a personal history of obesity and type 1 diabetes in whom a blood chemistry panel ordered during a check up revealed a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L in absence of other electrolyte abnormalities. A second test confirmed the finding of hyperkalaemia. Previous blood tests have not found abnormal levels of this ion, and the patient had been asymptomatic at all times.