Phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) serve vital roles in the human body and are essential components of nutrition support therapy. Regulation of P and regulation of Ca in the body are closely interrelated, and P and Ca homeostasis can be affected by several factors, including disease states, clinical condition, severity of illness, and medications. Nutrition support clinicians must understand these factors to prevent and treat P and Ca disorders in patients receiving nutrition support therapy. This review provides an overview of P and Ca for the adult nutrition support clinician, with some emphasis on the hospitalized inpatient.
Keywords: calcium; hypercalcemia; hyperphosphatemia; hypocalcemia; hypophosphatemia; nutritional support; parenteral nutrition; parenteral nutrition solutions; phosphorus.
© 2014 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.