Gitelman's syndrome presenting with hypocalcemic tetany and hypokalemic periodic paralysis

• Published in: Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation : an official publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, 2016, Vol.27 (5), p.1026-1028
• Main Authors: Gandhi, Kunal, Prasad, Dharmendra, Malhotra, Vinay, Agrawal, Dhananjai
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1319-2442
• DOI: 10.4103/1319-2442.190881

Gitelman's syndrome is an autosomal recessive renal tubular disorder characterized by hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, hypocalciuria, and metabolic alkalosis. Hypocalcemic tetany as a presentation of Gitelman's syndrome has rarely been reported in literature. We report a rare case of Gitelman's syndrome presenting with hypocalcemic tetany along with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. A 17-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with a history of perioral numbness and carpal spasms of five days duration with progressive quadriparesis developing over a period of few hours. Past history was significant for three episodes of transient lower limb weakness. On examination, blood pressure was 110/70 mm Hg. Chvostek's sign and Trousseau's sign were positive. Neurologically, she was fully oriented. She had Grade 3 power in all the four limbs with intact sensation. Laboratory tests showed hypocalcemia (7.8 mg/dL), hypokalemia (2.2 mEq/L), hypomagnesemia (0.9 mEq/L), and hypocalciuria (104 mg/day). Arterial blood gas showed mild metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation. Thus, a clinical diagnosis of GS was made. The patient made a remarkable recovery after the correction of electrolyte imbalance. The aim of this case report is to re-emphasize the fact that hypocalcemia can rarely occur in Gitelman's syndrome.