Does sodium phosphate enema use cause electrolyte disorder?

Sodium-phosphate enema poisoning

Authors

Keywords:

sodium-phosphate enema, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, constipation

Abstract

Constipation is one of the most common symptoms in childhood. Sodium-phosphate enemas are frequently preferred for the treatment of constipation and bowel cleansing. We present a case of a 5-year-old boy who presented to the Pediatric Emergency Department with complaints of constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal distension and vomiting; had been constipated for about two years and had poor nutrition, and received a full dose of CT enema® twice in the last 12 hours before admission to the hospital. Upon arrival at the Pediatric Emergency Department, the patient was given a pediatric fleet enema because he had dense stools according to radiographic evidence. Poisoning due to Sodium-phosphate enema was considered due to severe hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia in the laboratory evaluation. Rapid intravenous hydration and 1 mL/kg calcium gluconate intravenous infusion were started. Electrolytes returned to the normal range at the 14th hour of follow-up without the need for additional treatment. This case is presented to emphasize that due to the widespread use of sodium-phosphate enemas in the treatment of chronic constipation, these enemas can cause phosphate poisoning even when used in healthy patients at therapeutic doses.

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References

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Published

2024-03-16

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Case Report

How to Cite

1.
Tomar Güneysu S, Güleryüz OD, Karakaş NM, Çolak Özlem. Does sodium phosphate enema use cause electrolyte disorder? Sodium-phosphate enema poisoning. J Surg Med [Internet]. 2024 Mar. 16 [cited 2024 Dec. 13];8(3):65-8. Available from: https://jsurgmed.com/article/view/7440