Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
Published on: March 28, 2025
Hypophosphatemia associated risk factors in pediatric intensive care patients
Emine Sibel Şan1, Seher Erdoğan2, Mehmet Boşnak2
1Department of Pediatrics, Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Insights
Hypophosphatemia, a condition of low phosphate levels, affects nearly 30% of pediatric intensive care patients. Key risk factors include low potassium, malignant solid tumors, and female gender, necessitating further research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine
- Clinical Chemistry
- Pediatric Nephrology
Background:
- Hypophosphatemia is a common electrolyte imbalance in critically ill children.
- Identifying risk factors is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of hypophosphatemia in pediatric intensive care patients.
- To identify associated risk factors for hypophosphatemia in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study conducted in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit from June 2014 to December 2014.
- Inclusion of 57 pediatric patients with analysis of demographic, clinical characteristics, and laboratory values.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of hypophosphatemia on admission was 28.1% (16 out of 57 patients).
- Hypophosphatemic patients had significantly lower potassium and creatinine levels compared to normophosphatemic patients.
- Independent risk factors identified were low potassium level (OR: 16.76), malignant solid tumors (OR: 52.40), and female gender (OR: 6.18).
Conclusions:
- Hypophosphatemia is prevalent in pediatric intensive care settings.
- Low potassium, malignant solid tumors, and female gender are significant risk factors for hypophosphatemia in these patients.
- Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to validate these findings.
Abstract:
Şan ES, Erdoğan S, Boşnak M, Şan M. Hypophosphatemia associated risk factors in pediatric intensive care patients. Turk J Pediatr 2017; 59: 35-41. The aim of this work is to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hypophosphatemia in pediatric patients admitted to intensive care unit. The study was performed prospectively in patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit between June 2014 and December 2014. Fifty-seven patients were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 24 months (2-192 months); 25 patients (43.9%) were male and 32 were female (56.1%). The mean body weight z-score was -1.47 ± 2.23, and 23 (40.4%) patients had malnutrition. On admission 16 (28.1%) patients had hypophosphatemia. There were no statistically significant differences between the hypophosphatemic patient group and normophosphatemic patient groups in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics. There were also no significant differences between the two groups in terms of risk factors. Potassium and creatinine levels were significantly lower in the hypophosphatemic group, compared to the normophosphatemic group. According to a multivariate logistic regression analysis, risk factors for hypophosphatemia were low potassium level (OR: 16.76; 95% CI: 2.09 - 134.72; p: 0.008), malignant solid tumors (OR: 52.40; 95% CI: 2.04 - 1,344.32; p: 0.017, p: 0.036). and female gender (OR: 6.18; 95% CI: 1.12 - 34.00; p: 0.036). Prospective studies with larger sample size should be conducted to study the prevalence and risk factors of hypophosphatemia at pediatric intensive care unit.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
