Refeeding syndrome: implications for the inpatient rehabilitation unit.

Patients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation units commonly have underlying medical disorders and are at risk for poor oral intake and malnutrition, which may be compounded by dysphagia and anorexia. The refeeding syndrome is an underappreciated but clinically important entity characterized by acute electrolyte abnormalities, fluid retention, and dysfunction of various organ systems, which can result in significant morbidity and, occasionally, death. Reinstitution of nutrition by any route in a undernourished patient may lead to acute electrolyte shifts and fluid retention, which are hallmarks of the refeeding syndrome. As such, this article briefly summarizes the clinical manifestations and treatment of refeeding syndrome as it relates to patients admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation unit.