Unexpected Hyperkalemia During Kawasaki Disease

Abstract

Pseudohyperkalemia is defined as a markedly elevated serum potassium level with a normal plasma potassium concentration. It is mainly caused by leucocytosis and thrombocytosis. Here we report an infant treated with aspirin for Kawasaki disease who developed hyperkalemia during follow-up. He was finally diagnosed with pseudohyperkalemia based on a normal whole blood potassium level measured with a blood gas analyser.