Proximal Weakness and Hypokalemia in a Pregnant Woman: The First Presentation of Gitelman Syndrome

Abstract

Gitelman syndrome is an inherited disorder of kidney function characterized by hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria. Its first presentation during pregnancy might be a challenging diagnostic and management issue, as there is little data available in the medical literature. Here we report a 26-year-old pregnant woman who was diagnosed with Gitelman syndrome for the first time during her second trimester of pregnancy. Refractory hypokalemia in the 18th week of pregnancy was treated with eplerenone. The pregnancy outcome was favorable both for the mother and neonate.

Keywords

• Gitelman syndrome
• Proximal weakness
• Hypokalemia