Editing Refeeding syndrome


== Risk factors ==

* BMI <16
* Significant weight loss in past 3-6 months
* Sarcopaenia
* No nutritional intake for past seven days
* Pre-existing electrolyte derangements

== Pathophysiology ==

* Rapid introduction of calories in a patient with malnutrition (pre-existing catabolic state)
* Sudden influx of excess carbohydrates, results in higher insulin, and increases movement of phosphate and potassium intra-cellularly (also increased thiamine utilisation)
* Leads to low potassium, magnesium, phosphate and a thiamine deficiency (phosphate is the first to drop)
* Usually occurs within the first 72 hours of refeeding
* Hypophosphataemia is the hallmark of refeeding syndrome, and generally manifests during the first week of re-feeding

== Management ==

* Needs higher doses of electrolytes than would normally be given

[[Category:Nutrition]]
[[Category:Intern education]]