Serum levels of inorganic phosphorus may be associated with mortality associated with a serious infection.
Increased mortality is associated with:
(1) sepsis and serum inorganic phosphorus < 1 mg/dL
(2) community acquired pneumonia and serum inorganic phosphorus < 1.5 mg/dL or > 4.5 mg/dL
(3) meningococcal sepsis with hypophosphatemia
The serum inorganic phosphorus should be interpreted together with other poor prognostic factors (thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, etc). Cytokines may be elevated.
Hypophosphatemia can also be seen with other conditions such as the refeeding syndrome.
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