31st July 2023

Overview

Refeeding syndrome is a potentially fatal consequence of artificial nutritional replacement in malnourished patients, and refers to a collection of electrolyte disturbances due to the shifts in homeostasis that occur.

The characteristic electrolyte abnormalities are:

• Hypophosphataemia
• Hypokalaemia
• Hypomagnesaemia

It is also associated with deficiency of key micronutrients, such as thiamine.