Low phosphate levels in blood.
It usually occurs in conjunction with other metabolic disturbances, disrupting energy metabolism and impairing delivery of oxygen to tissues. Acute hypophosphatemia causes neurological symptoms (weakness, tremors, and confusion). Chronic hypophosphatemia, from long-term deficiency, causes general weakness and appetite loss. Treatment involves correcting the metabolic problem and giving phosphate supplements. Familial hypophosphatemia, an inherited disorder, is a major cause of rickets in developed nations. See also ATP .