Hypokalemia causing rhabdomyolysis resulting in life-threatening hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia is commonly associated with renal failure and is rare if renal function is normal. It is rarely caused by rhabdomyolysis and can be life threatening if unrecognized. Rhabdomyolysis is caused by many disorders, including hypokalemia. The available literature, both for human beings and experimental animals, contains evidence of hypokalemia causing rhabdomyolysis and rhabdomyolysis leading to hyperkalemia. Hypokalemia as a cause of rhabdomyolysis often goes unnoticed, because of the counteracting effect of rhabdomyolysis on serum potassium. There are no pediatric reports showing hypokalemia as a cause of rhabdomyolysis leading to life-threatening hyperkalemia. This case emphasizes the vigilance required toward the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis, which if not detected promptly may prove fatal.