Work

A Patient Presenting With Hematochezia Found to Have Geophagia-Induced Electrolyte Derangements

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Geophagia is the deliberate practice of eating earth or other soil-like substances. Although associated with nutritional deficiency, it may occur as a culturally sanctioned practice outside the context of illness. A patient with kidney failure on home hemodialysis presented with hematochezia, myalgias, and fatigue. She was found to have constipation with radiopacities in the gastrointestinal tract, symptomatic hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and relative hypophosphatemia in the setting of end-stage kidney disease. History revealed significant geophagia and intake of bentonite clay, which is primarily composed of aluminum, a phosphorus binder, and silica, a potassium binder. Her electrolyte abnormalities resolved with clay discontinuation.

Source: Annals of Internal Medicine Clinical Cases

DOI: 10.7326/aimcc.2025.0079

Authors: Archit V. Potharazu, Elizabeth Kiernan, Rishi Subrahmanyan, Hector Ibanez, John Woller

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Potassium and Related Disorders

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4412983052

FWCI:

Cites: 8

Cited by:

Related to: 10