An Unexpected Cause of Severe Hypokalemia

Case Rep Nephrol. 2015:2015:957583. doi: 10.1155/2015/957583. Epub 2015 Oct 15.

Abstract

We describe an unusual case of severe hypokalemia with electrocardiographic changes, due to licorice consumption, in a 15-year-old female student with no previous medical history. Prompt replacement of potassium and cessation of licorice ingestion resulted in a favourable outcome. We also discuss the pathophysiology and diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of a detailed anamnesis to rule out an often forgotten cause of hypokalemia as the licorice poisoning.