Interní Med. 2010; 12(9): 439-441

Refeeding syndrome - a latent clinic threat

MUDr.Jiří Plášek, MUDr.Vladimír Hrabovský, doc.MUDr.Arnošt Martínek, CSc.

Interní klinika FN Ostrava a Fakulta zdravotnických studií Ostravské univerzity

The aim of this article is mention of refeeding syndrome (RFS), as an important component of clinical practice. RFS is metabolic disturbance,

resulted from feeding restoration in malnourished and/or starved patients. Hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypokalemia,

alteration of carbohydrate and fat metabolism, sodium and fluid retention are typical signs of this syndrome. Rapid decrease of phosphate

plasma level under 0,5 mmol/l (or slow decrease under 0,3 mmol/l) is the most important symptom. Hypophosphatemia is connected

with consciousness deterioration, cardiac and pulmonary failure, haemolysis and leukocyte dysfunction. Thus, these symptoms could

be fatal, especially for weakened patients. Patients with long-term malnutrition (e.g. hard-drinkers, cancer, geriatric or malabsorption

patients) are most life-threatened.

Keywords: hypophosphatemia, refeeding syndrome, malnutrition

Published: October 1, 2010  Show citation