Hypophosphataemia: an important cause of collapse. (18th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, David M; Shrikrishnapalasuriyar, Natasha; Price, David E; Stephens, Jeffrey W
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-07-18
• Subjects: metabolic disorders -- fluid electrolyte and acid-base disturbances; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-225821
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : We present a case of a 44-year-old man, civil servant, who presented to the emergency department (ED) following an episode of collapse. He was usually fit and well and while at work he had developed a headache with pins and needles over his face and subsequently collapsed. On arrival to ED, he had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 4/15. There was no history of note apart from being prescribed citalopram for depression. Laboratory investigations revealed severe hypophosphataemia (phosphate 0.19 mmol/L) and no other electrolyte abnormality. He was commenced on intravenous phosphate and his GCS improved to 15 within 4 hours. Further investigations revealed no cause for his severe hypophosphataemia and repeat bloods in clinic follow-up showed a normal phosphate level.