Refeeding hypophosphataemia in anorexia nervosa and alcoholism

Abstract

Phospdate is important for cellular metabolism.1 Body phosphate stores may become depleted during inadequate nutrition, and severe hypophosphataemia may ensue when metabolic demand for phosphate is subsequently increased acutely; this condition is termed the nutritional recovery syndrome.2 We describe two such cases associated with anorexia nervosa and with severe alcoholism. Marrow suppression, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, neuroencephal-opathy, convulsions, and cardiac effects occurred associated with acute hypophosphataemia. © 1987, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.