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Hypokalemia risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aida Javanbakht, M.D.

Overview

Risk factors associated with a low serum potassium levels (hypokalemia) include female gender, intake of medication (diuretics), heart failure, hypertension, low body mass index (BMI), eating disorder, alcoholism, diarrhea, Cushing’s syndrome.

Risk Factors

Risk Factors

The following risk factors are known to be associated with an increased risk of hypokalemia:

References

References

  1. Hawkins RC (May 2003). “Gender and age as risk factors for hypokalemia and hyperkalemia in a multiethnic Asian population”. Clin. Chim. Acta. 331 (1–2): 171–2. PMID 12691880.
  2. Kleinfeld M, Borra S, Gavani S, Corcoran A (November 1993). “Hypokalemia: are elderly females more vulnerable?”. J Natl Med Assoc. 85 (11): 861–4. PMC 2571829. PMID 8107162.
  3. Liamis G, Rodenburg EM, Hofman A, Zietse R, Stricker BH, Hoorn EJ (March 2013). “Electrolyte disorders in community subjects: prevalence and risk factors”. Am. J. Med. 126 (3): 256–63. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2012.06.037. PMID 23332973.
  4. Daly K, Farrington E (2013). “Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia in infants and children: pathophysiology and treatment”. J Pediatr Health Care. 27 (6): 486–96, quiz 497–8. doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2013.08.003. PMID 24139581.


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