Hypokalaemic Paralysis Associated with COVID-19 Infection.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a pandemic affecting mainly respiratory and gastrointestinal system. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2) binds angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) resulting in hypokalaemia. We hereby report the a of hypokalaemic paralysis induced by COVID-19. CASE: A 56 years old male with no co-morbidities presented with fever (2days), weakness in bilateral lower limbs (1 day). His had severe hypokalaemia with serum potassium of 2.05 mEq/L. RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV- 19 was positive. He was diagnosed as a case of hypokalaemic paralysis induced by COVID-19 infection.
CONCLUSION: We suggest that during this pandemic era if a COVID-19 patient presents with paralysis, hypokalaemia induced paralysis should be kept in the differential diagnosis. WHAT IS KNOWN: COVID-19 infection leads to hypokalemia. WHAT IS NEW: Hypokalaemic paralysis as a manifestation of COVID-19. © Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.