Tag: High risk patients

Refeeding syndrome is a potentially fatal metabolic complication that can occur in severely malnourished patients during nutritional rehabilitation, with one study documenting a high incidence of electrolyte abnormalities in patients receiving artificial nutrition. This life-threatening condition is primarily caused by rapid reintroduction of food after a period of starvation, leading to dangerous fluid and electrolyte shifts. Understanding what increases the risk of refeeding syndrome is crucial for prevention and effective management.

Refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal metabolic disturbance, can lead to a 6-month mortality rate as much as 1.54 times higher in malnourished patients compared to those without the syndrome. Identifying which patient is most likely to experience refeeding syndrome is the critical first step in prevention and management.