Managing hypophosphatemia in critically ill patients: a report on an under-diagnosed electrolyte anomaly.

OBJECTIVE

Correction of acute hypophosphatemia leaves no long-term complications, but failure to recognize and treat an acute situation can be fatal.

METHODS

A 65-year-old female presented to the Emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain, multiple episodes of watery stools and vomiting for 3 days. On the 3rd day, she developed abdominal distension and breathlessness and was referred to this hospital for further management and finally diagnosed with hypophosphatemia.

CONCLUSIONS

As hypophosphatemia is often underestimated, this case report emphasizes the importance of correcting hypophosphatemia in all critically ill patients.