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[Hypophosphatemic coma (author's transl)]
Insights
A child experienced hypophosphatemic coma due to low serum phosphorus levels. This condition was linked to acute kidney injury, poor nutrition, and infection, impacting cellular energy and blood cell function.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Hypophosphatemia, a critical electrolyte imbalance, can lead to severe complications.
- Children with malnutrition and acute kidney injury are at increased risk.
- Cellular energy metabolism is highly dependent on phosphate levels.
Abstract:
A 4-3/12 old boy with a hypophosphoremic coma (serum phosphorus: 0.4 mg./dl.) is presented. The favoring conditions appear to be related to acute renal failure in polyuric phase with high phosphorus excretion, low phosphorus intake, rapid transit from a catabolic to an anabolic state with previous malnutrition and parenteral feeding, oral aluminum hydroxide gel administration and lung infectious disease. The clinical, biochemical data, evolution and physiologic mechanisms are commented, specially those of erythrocyte, leucocyte and platelet disfunction related to ATP, AMP and 2.3 DPG deficiency. Proteinuria and hematuria during phosphorus depletion are emphasized. The alarm symptoms and treatment are indicated.