HYPOPOTASSEMIA in Human Starvation and Gastric Resection

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Abstract
Three cases of long-standing starvation and resultant K deficiency are presented. K deficiency may be a frequent feature of starvation. Many signs of central nervous system damage were recorded and observed to disappear with treatment by food, vits. and K salts. A tremendous dose (261 gm. or 3400 m.eq.) of KCl in addition to a high K diet was given to one patient over a period of 1 1/2 mos. Restoration of intracellular K may be slow in such cases. It is possible that many of the central nervous system changes in starvation are due to intracellular K deficit.