Discharge Instructions for Hypophosphatemia (Pediatric)

Your child has been diagnosed with hypophosphatemia, which means there is not enough phosphorus in your child’s blood. Phosphorus helps develop bones and teeth and helps control energy metabolism. Most cases of hypophosphatemia are caused by other health problems. Here's what you need to know about home care for this condition.

Diet changes

• Unless the healthcare provider tells you otherwise, encourage your child to drink 2 to 3 quarts of fluid every day.

• Keep track of how much fluid your child drinks.

• Increase your child’s intake of foods that contain phosphorus.

  • Encourage your child to eat more milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

  • Encourage your child to eat meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and peanuts.

Other home care

• Give your child all medicine exactly as directed.

• Don’t give your child antacids. Some antacids keep your child from absorbing the phosphorus in food.

• Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicine your child is taking. This includes vitamins and herbal supplements. Some of these can cause interactions with other medicine.

• Tell the provider if your child has a history of diabetes, liver, kidney, or heart disease.

• Encourage your child to get back to normal activities as directed by the healthcare provider.

Follow-up

• Make a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider, or as directed.

• Keep all appointments for lab work and follow-up. Your child’s condition will need to be monitored closely.