Acute areflexic paralysis. Association with hyperalimentation and hypophosphatemia.

Acute areflexic paralysis associated with diffuse sensory loss, cranial nerve paisies, and respiratory insufficiency occurred in two patients who developed hypophosphatemia during hyperalimentation. Prompt recovery followed replacement of serum phosphorus in both cases. An electromyogram performed on one patient revealed only decreased insertional activity. A muscle biopsy specimen from the same patient showed minor, nonspecific neurogenic changes.