Refeeding syndrome and hypophosphatemia

J Intensive Care Med. 2005 May-Jun;20(3):155-9. doi: 10.1177/0885066605275326.

Abstract

Hypophosphatemia is a potentially life-threatening complication of reinstating nutrition in a malnourished patient. Refeeding syndrome is a term that refers to various metabolic abnormalities that may complicate carbohydrate administration in subnourished patient populations. Hypophosphatemia is the most well-known, and perhaps most significant, element of the refeeding syndrome and may result in sudden death, rhabdomyolysis, red cell dysfunction, and respiratory insufficiency. This review briefly examines refeeding-induced hypophosphatemia in the hospitalized patient in hopes of making clinicians more aware of this common, but often overlooked, potentially dangerous problem.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dietary Carbohydrates / adverse effects*
  • Energy Intake
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / etiology
  • Hypophosphatemia / diagnosis
  • Hypophosphatemia / etiology*
  • Hypophosphatemia / metabolism
  • Hypophosphatemia / therapy
  • Malnutrition / diet therapy*
  • Phosphorus / metabolism
  • Phosphorus / therapeutic use
  • Risk Factors
  • Syndrome
  • Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / etiology

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Phosphorus