Near fatal hyperkalemia from a dangerous treatment for colic
Oseas, R.S.; Phelps, D.L.; Kaplan, S.A.
Pediatrics 69(1): 117-118
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 7054747 Document Number: 188606
Hyperkaliaemia occurred in an infant who developed colic which was treated by the mother according to instructions in a widely used nutrition book (Davis, A. Let's Have Healthy Children. Harcourt Brace, Javanovich, New York, 1972). The advice given was to offer a supplement made with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoonful Morton's Salt Substitute and 1/2 teaspoonful Lactobacillus acidophilus culture to each 4-oz water bottle. The solution ingested by the infant contained potassium 120 mEq/litre when made up according to the instructions. The solution of 1/4 teaspoonful Morton's salt substitute in 120 ml water gave a calculated K load of 15 to 16 mEq/kg daily or 5 to 8 times the normal recommended intake of K.