Hyperkalemia in Pediatric Severe Malaria

Abstract

Severe malaria remains an important global cause of mortality, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of deaths occur in children under 5 years of age. Hyperkalemia in severe malaria has not been very well reported but is associated with increased mortality. Severe malaria has several features that predispose patients to hyperkalemia, including acute kidney injury, hemolysis, metabolic acidosis, and severe anemia requiring blood transfusion. Our objective is to discuss the epidemiology of hyperkalemia in severe malaria, provide an overview of potassium homeostasis, and discuss risk factors for elevated potassium levels in severe malaria, as well as management strategies considering the resource-limited settings where malaria is endemic.