This is Bananas!
by Melissa Rodriguez, MD (’21)
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Hypokalemia is the presence of a serum potassium concentration less than 3.5 mEq/L, but it isn’t considered life threatening until around less than 2.5 mEq/L. In pediatrics the most common cause of hypokalemia is GI losses such as diarrhea and vomiting. Other reasons include urinary losses (diuretic use, DKA), inadequate potassium intake (eating disorders), and intracellular shifts of potassium (metabolic alkalosis, beta adrenergic agonist use, hyperthyroidism).