Acute polyneuropathy due to phosphate deficiency during parenteral feeding

A malnourished M. Crohn-patient developed severe symptoms similar to those of an acute polyneuropathy associated with a period of marked decrease of serum phosphate concentration during intravenous high-caloric infusions. After the serum phosphate concentration was normalized recovery from all neurologic symptoms followed within a few days. Based on this observation the possible consequences of severe hypophosphatemia are discussed.