Gas repellents herbal drugs could induce hyperkalemia in infants: case series in tertiary centers in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This is a case series involving four infants who experienced hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood) after using herbal gas repellents that contained potassium sorbate as an antimicrobial preservative. The first patient was a ten-day-old male who presented with jaundice and incidental hyperkalemia, which resolved with treatment. The second patient was a three-month-old male who had a history of neonatal critical care admission and presented with vomiting and incidental hyperkalemia, which resolved spontaneously. The third patient was a two-month-old female who presented with failure to thrive and incidental hyperkalemia, which resolved after discontinuation of the herbal gas repellent. The fourth patient was a one-month-old male who presented with vomiting and incidental hyperkalemia, which also resolved after discontinuation of the herbal gas repellent. All patients underwent investigations to determine the underlying cause of hyperkalemia, but no specific cause was found other than the use of the herbal gas repellents. The abstract highlights the importance of physicians being aware of the potential effects of potassium-containing herbal gas repellents and the occurrence of unexplained hyperkalemia in infants, urging caution in their use.