Matthew C Byrnes1, Jessica Stangenes. 1. Division of Surgical Critical Care, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. mbyrnes150@yahoo.com
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the etiology and complications of the refeeding syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: Complications of the refeeding syndrome can include electrolyte abnormalities, heart failure, respiratory failure, and death. This syndrome is of particular importance to critically ill patients, who can be moved from the starved state to the fed state rapidly via enteral or parenteral nutrition. There are a variety of risk factors for the development of the refeeding syndrome. All of these risk factors are tied together by starvation physiology. Case reports and case series continue to be reported, suggesting that this entity continues to exist in critically ill patients. Initiation of enteral nutrition to patients with starvation physiology should be gradual and careful monitoring of electrolytes and organ function is critical during the early stages of refeeding. SUMMARY: The refeeding syndrome remains a significant issue in critically ill patients. Knowledge of the risk factors and the clinical signs of the refeeding syndrome is important to optimize outcomes.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the etiology and complications of the refeeding syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: Complications of the refeeding syndrome can include electrolyte abnormalities, heart failure, respiratory failure, and death. This syndrome is of particular importance to critically illpatients, who can be moved from the starved state to the fed state rapidly via enteral or parenteral nutrition. There are a variety of risk factors for the development of the refeeding syndrome. All of these risk factors are tied together by starvation physiology. Case reports and case series continue to be reported, suggesting that this entity continues to exist in critically illpatients. Initiation of enteral nutrition to patients with starvation physiology should be gradual and careful monitoring of electrolytes and organ function is critical during the early stages of refeeding. SUMMARY: The refeeding syndrome remains a significant issue in critically illpatients. Knowledge of the risk factors and the clinical signs of the refeeding syndrome is important to optimize outcomes.