Gitelman syndrome-associated severe hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

We report a case of a woman with Gitelman syndrome who presented to our hospital mainly due to hyperemesis. Following her admission, intravenous potassium and magnesium supplementation was commenced to counter the observed hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia. Hyperemesis receded and although serum potassium remained low, she became asymptomatic. Oral potassium and magnesium supplementation was administered throughout pregnancy and biweekly ion level measurements were scheduled. Despite the intensive replacement, ion levels remained constantly low. She delivered at 38 weeks with an elective caesarean section because of a breech presentation, a healthy female baby weighing 3350 g. Neonatal electrolyte profile was normal.

Keywords:

• Gitelman syndrome
• pregnancy
• hypokalemia
• hypomagnesemia
• renal disorder

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.