Hypophosphatemia

• • Decreased serum phosphorus

Epidemiology

• • Poor dietary intake (especially in alcoholics)

  • Hyperparathyroidism

  • Phosphate-binding antacid administration

  • Refeeding with total parenteral nutrition with insufficient phosphate supplement

Symptoms and Signs

• • Lassitude, weakness and fatigue may develop with levels below 1 mg/dL

  • Severe neuromuscular manifestations can include convulsions and death

  • Impaired cardiac contractility and rhabdomyolysis with ongoing severe hypophosphatemia

Laboratory Findings

• • Decreased serum phosphorus

  • Anemia from RBC hemolysis

• • In perioperative or post-trauma setting, almost always associated with poor nutrition

• • Serum electrolytes

  • Nutritional assessment

• • Phosphate replenishment

  • Nutritional support

Treatment Monitoring

• • Serum electrolytes

Prognosis

• • Excellent

References