Importance of plasma phosphate determination.

Phosphate is an important component of all tissues and disorders of phosphate homeostasis are common in hospital populations. Hypophosphatemia, which is much more frequent than hyperphosphatemia, is commonly caused by infusion of carbohydrate or respiratory alkalosis. If hypophosphatemia is prolonged, severe consequences such as hemolysis, myopathy, and respiratory dysfunction may occur. In order to prevent these complications it is important to measure plasma phosphate concentration in a number of clinical situations. If severe hypophosphatemia is detected, phosphate supplements should be given to correct it.