Geophagia leading to hypokalemic quadriparesis in a postpartum patient.

Abstract

Pica is an eating disorder associated with ingestion of variety of non-food substances. A postpartum patient who presented with acute flaccid quadriparesis was detected to have severe hypokalemia. After extensive investigations for cause of hypokalemia, history of geophagia (clay-eating) was obtained. Approach to hypokalemia and health hazards of pica are discussed.