RESUMO
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by episodic weakness of skeletal muscle associated with hypokalemia. It may be presented as familial or sporadic. Familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis is caused by mutations in the muscle membrane dihydropyridine sensitive calcium channel alpha-1 subunit. The abnormal genes in most cases are located in the chromosome 1q31-32. We experienced 2 cases(a 14-year-old male, a 12-year old male) of familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Two cases presented with quadriplegia after eating salty foods. The diagnosis was made by demonstrating decreased plasma level of potassium. The patient responded dramatically to potassium replacement therapy. We report two cases of familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis caused by salty foods with a brief review of related literatures.