Refeeding syndrome

JOURNAL TITLE: Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine

Author
1. Swagata Tripathy
2. S. C. Dash
3. Padmini Mishra
ISSN
0972-5229
DOI
10.4103/0972-5229.43683
Volume
12
Issue
3
Publishing Year
2008
Pages
4
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College, Bhubaneswar, India
    1. Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College, Bhubaneswar, India
    1. Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College, Bhubaneswar, India
  • Article keywords
    Hypophosphatemia, malnutrition

    Abstract

    We report a case of a fifty-year-old male who was admitted with a three month history of increasing weakness, prostration, decreasing appetite and inability to swallow. The patient was a chronic alcoholic, unemployed, and of very poor socioeconomic background. The patient was initially investigated for upper GI malignancy, Addisons disease, bulbar palsy and other endocrinopathies. Concurrent management was started for severe electrolyte abnormalities and enteral nutritional supplementation was begun. By the fourth day of feeding patient developed severe hypophosphatemia and other life-threatening features suggesting refeeding syndrome. The patient was managed for the manifestations of refeeding syndrome. A final diagnosis of chronic alcoholic malnutrition with refeeding syndrome was made. Refeeding of previously starving patients may lead to a variety of complications including sudden death.

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