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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Caffeine-induced hypokalemic paralysis in pregnancy
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, 1400 Wallace Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA. sue@cortex.ama.ttuhsc.edu
Background:
Excessive ingestion of caffeine can induce hypokalemia, which affects the neuromuscular system and can lead to paralysis.
Case:
A 24-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2-0-0-2 at 33 weeks' gestation presented with muscular paralysis and hypokalemia secondary to drinking 6 to 7 L of cola per day with little other oral intake. After potassium replacement and stopping caffeine ingestion, the symptoms resolved quickly.
Conclusion:
The physiologic changes of pregnancy might potentiate the effect of caffeine on serum potassium concentration.
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