Effects of alternate and simultaneous administrations of calcium and phosphorus on calcium metabolism in children receiving total parenteral nutrition.

The effects of alternate and simultaneous administrations of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) on Ca metabolism in children receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were examined. Eight children, aged 2 to 36 months, were studied. The following three solutions were administered: solution 1 contains Ca (533 mg/liter); solution 2 contains P (413 mg/liter); and solution 3 contains Ca (267 mg/liter) and P (207 mg/liter). Solutions 1 and 2 were administered alternately for 24-hr periods. (Results) I. During administration of solution 1, significant hypophosphatemia (4.39 +/- 0.26 mg/dl) and hypercalcemia (9.96 +/- 0.15 mg/dl) were observed and, conversely, during administration of solution 2, significant hypocalcemia (8.36 +/- 0.18 mg/dl) and hyperphosphatemia (6.16 +/- 0.27 mg/dl) were observed. During administration of solution 3, the serum levels of both minerals were maintained within the normal ranges (Ca 9.46 +/- 0.12 mg/dl, P 5.65 +/- 0.21 mg/dl). II. The urinary excretion of cyclic AMP was significantly lower during administration of solution 1 (6.67 +/- 0.45 nmol/mg creatinine (Cr] as compared with solution 3 (7.50 +/- 0.61 nmol/mg of Cr). On the other hand, the excretion was significantly higher during administration of solution 2 (11.55 +/- 1.58 nmol/mg of Cr) as compared with solution 3, indicating the existence of secondary hyperparathyroidism. III. The Ca and P retention rates were significantly higher with solution 3 (Ca 79.0 +/- 5.5%, P 73.2 +/- 7.2% of the intake) than with solutions 1 and 2 alternately (Ca 62.7 +/- 4.5%, P 49.2 +/- 9.3%). (Conclusions) Simultaneous administrations of Ca and P are preferable to their alternate administrations for Ca metabolism in children receiving TPN.