Plasma phosphorus and magnesium values during treatment of severe diabetic ketoacidosis

Plasma phosphorus and magnesium were determined in 76 diabetics, admitted with severe ketoacidosis (pH less than or equal to 7.20, total CO2 less than or equal to 10 mEq/l) before and 24 hours after beginning the treatment, which did not include supplementary phosphorus or magnesium. Phosphorus presented initially high values (1.76 + 0.69 mEq/l) which fell substantially 24 hours after beginning the treatment (0.87 +/- 0.26 mEq/l); magnesium values, initially low (0.76 +/- 0.19 mEq/l), fell still further within 24 hours of treatment (0.64 - 0.16 mEq/l). For phosphorus (and to a lesser extent for magnesium) calculation of the regression line indicated a direct positive relationship with both hydrogen ion concentrations (r = 0.67) and blood glucose (r = 0.73), the differences being statistically significant. The more rapid the decrease in glycemia and correction of acidemia and the greater the amount of glucose administered in the course of treatment, the more marked was the fall of plasma phosphorus and magnesium values.