Dietary phosphate needs in early life and adolescence

Phosphorus is one of the most abundant minerals in the body, and it is essential for most cellular processes. Only recently, mechanisms governing the regulation of phosphorus have been elucidated. This has provided an opportunity to understand new and emerging roles of phosphorus in the pathophysiology of metabolic bone disease of premature infants. Efforts to understand adequate supplementation of phosphorus in these special populations are underway. Additionally, the role of phosphorus in the genesis of cardiovascular disease is being understood. Adequate dietary evaluation of the growing child and adolescent, with particular attention to phosphorus additives, is needed. Finally, unknown dietary phosphates in foods need to be declared if we are to fully understand the long-term consequences of excess phosphate ingestion in adolescence.