Hypokalemic paralysis associated with dengue fever:Study from a tertiary centre in North India
- Author:
Rajesh Verma
;
Tushar B Patil
;
Rakesh Lalla
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Dengue Virus;
Dengue
- From:Neurology Asia
2016;21(1):23-32
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: Dengue associated hypokalemic paralysis (DHP) is an unusual neurological complication
of dengue fever. This was a retrospective study of patients with DHP compared with idiopathic
hypokalemic paralysis (IHP) seen in a tertiary centre in North India. Methods: Dengue was diagnosed by
positive nonstructural protein (NS) 1 antigen and dengue-IgM antibody. Various clinical and laboratory
parameters were compared between patients with DHP and IHP. Results: DHP was seen in 18 out of
489 (3.7%) dengue patients seen in the 4-years study period. Complications of bulbar weakness or
respiratory failure developed in 6/18 (33.3%) of DHP patients. DHP patients with complications had
higher hematocrit (p<0.001), lower platelet count (p=0.002), lower serum potassium (p=0.007) and
higher creatinekinase (CK) (p<0.001) as compared to those without complications. When compared to
IHP, DHP patients had fever at admission (p<0.001); myalgia (p<0.001); no past episodes (p=0.032);
greater disability (p=0.02); lower serum potassium (p=0.0338); higher CK (p=0.001); and nerve
conduction abnormalities (p=0.035).
Conclusions: DHP should be suspected in patients who present with acute onset muscle weakness
associated with fever. Predictors of complications in DHP include high hematocrit, low platelet count,
low serum potassium and raised CK.
- Full text:P020160404602224570923.pdf
