Abstract

Familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare neuromuscular-genetic disease characterized by attacks of painless muscle weakness. It is caused by the defect of muscle cell ion channels. It has been reported that the decrease of serum potassium level to below 3.5 mEq/L due to uptake of potassium by muscle cells leads the episodes of muscle weakness. Potassium levels are normal on episode-free period. Due to autosomal dominant inheritance, the presence of relatives who have similar symptoms is crucial for the diagnosis. In this report, in order to get attention to this rare disease, we present a 4 year-old girl who admitted to our emergency department with loss of power in all four limbs and whose family history showed familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis for two generations.