Severe hypophosphatemia in a patient with acute pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
We describe a patient with alcohol-induced pancreatitis who developed severe life-threatening hypophosphatemia of multifactorial origin during hospitalization.


METHODS
Decreased phosphate levels along with urine phosphate wasting were already noticed on the patient's admission due to underlying chronic alcoholism. However, a further deterioration of hypophosphatemia appeared on the second day of hospitalization presumably resulting from an increased transfer of phosphate from extracellular to intracellular fluid.


CONCLUSIONS
Phosphate deficiency is often overlooked in patients with acute pancreatitis. Our case emphasizes that serum phosphate levels should be checked along with serum calcium levels in patients with acute pancreatitis, especially in alcoholic patients.
Rizos
E
E
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina. Ioannina, Greece. melisaf@cc.uoi.gr
Alexandrides
G
G
Elisaf
M S
MS
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D006801:Humans; D017674:Hypophosphatemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D019512:Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood
D010710:Phosphates