ESPE Abstracts

Background: Phosphate is an essential ion and plays a vital role in many physiological processes. Carpopedal spasm is known as a symptom of hypocalcaemia, or rarely, hypomagnesemia. We present an unusual case of carpal spasm seen in hypophosphataemia.

Case presentation: 14 year old boy was admitted with acute onset of both carpal spasm. He had shrimp salad made 2 days ago, and two times of vomiting and large amount of diarrhea was developed before carpopedal spasm. Biochemical investigation revealed only moderate hypophosphatemia without hypocalcaemia. Other laboratory finding including hormone tests related with phosphate regulation was normal. Carpal spasm improved with correction of hypophosphatemia.

Conclusion: The phathophysiology of neurologic dysfunction in hypophosphatemia is not clear yet. But it has been suggested that physiological effects of phosphate is related. Careful observation of phosphate is recommended when the patient has neurologic symptoms. ^⋆No illustration from any novel.