Skip to main content
Log in

Pseudohyperkalaemia in Kawasaki disease

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Published:
European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Pseudohyperkalaemia was observed in 3 of 16 patients with Kawasaki disease showing remarkably increased platelet counts. Their plasma potassium concentration, which is not affected by in vitro coagulation, was in the normal range despite the increased serum level. A significant correlation was observed between the platelet count and the increase in the serum potassium level resulting from blood coagulation, which was estimated by subtracting the plasma potassium level from the serum level. This study indicates that pseudohyperkalaemia should be considered in patients with Kawasaki disease whose platelet counts are markedly increased.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bellevue R, Dosik H, Spergel G, Bernard D, Gussoff BD (1975) Pseudohyperkalemia in extreme leukocytosis. J Lab Clin Med 85:660–664

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Burns JC, Glode MP, Clarke SH, Wiggins J, Hathaway WE (1984) Coagulopathy and platelet activation in Kawasaki syndrome: identification of patients at high risk for development of coronary artery aneurysms. J Pediatr 105:206–211

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Chumbley LC (1970) Pseudohyperkalemia in acute myeloid leukemia. JAMA 211:1007–1009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Dagher G, Vantyghem MC, Doise B, Lallau G, Racadot A, Lefebvre J (1989) Altered erythrocyte cation permeability in familial pseudohyperkalaemia. Clin Sci 77:213–216

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Hartmann RC, Mallinkoff SM (1955) The relationship of platelets to the serum potassium concentration. J Clin Invest 34:938

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hartmann RC, Auditore JV, Jackson DP (1958) Studies on thrombocytosis: I. Hyperkalemia due to release of potassium from platelets during coagulation. J Clin Invest 37:699–707

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Hicks RY, Melish ME (1986) Kawasaki syndrome. Pediatr Clin North Am 33:1151–1175

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ho-Yen DO, Pennington CR (1980) Pseudohyperkalaemia and infectious mononucleosis. Postgrad Med J 56:435–436

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Kawasaki T, Kosaki F, Okawa S, Shigematsu I, Yanagawa H (1974) A new infant febrile mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MCLS) prevailing in Japan. Pediatrics 54:271–276

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kerr DJ, McAlpine LG, Dagg JH (1985) Pseudohyperkalaemia. BMJ 291:890–891

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Myerson RM, Frumili AM (1960) Hyperkalemia associated with myeloproliferative disorders. Arch Intern Med 106:479–482

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Stewart GW, Corrall RJM, Fyffe JA, Stockdill G, Strong JA (1979) Familial pseudohyperkalaemia: a new syndrome. Lancet II:175–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Whitfield JB (1966) Spurious hyperkalaemia and hyponatraemia in a patient with thrombocythaemia. J Clin Path 19:496–497

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Wills MR, Fraser ID (1964) Spurious hyperkalaemia. J Clin Path 17:649–650

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shimizu, T., Yamashiro, Y. & Yabuta, K. Pseudohyperkalaemia in Kawasaki disease. Eur J Pediatr 151, 497–498 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957752

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957752

Key words

Navigation