Discharge Instructions for Hypophosphatemia (Child)

Diet changes

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

• Keep track of how much fluid your child drinks.

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

  • Have your child consume more milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

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

Other home care

• Give your child all medicine as directed.

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

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

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

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

Follow-up

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

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

When to call your child's healthcare provider

Call the provider right away if your child has any of these:

• Confusion

• Irritable behavior

• Muscle pain

• Upset stomach or vomiting

• Diarrhea that isn't eased by changing your child’s diet

• Constipation for more than 2 days