The Refeeding Syndrome: a neglected but potentially serious condition for inpatients. A narrative review.

ABSTRACT: The Refeeding Syndrome (RFS) is a potentially serious, but still overlooked condition, occurring in individuals who are rapidly fed after a period of severe undernourishment. RFS derives from an abnormal electrolyte and fluid shifts leading to many organ dysfunctions. Symptoms generally appear within 2-5 days of re-feeding and may be absent/mild or severe and life threating, depending on the pre-existing degree of malnutrition and comorbidities. The lack of a standard definition and the nonspecificity of the symptoms make both incidence estimate and diagnosis difficult. In 2020, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) proposed a unifying definition for the RFS and its severity classification. The awareness of the condition is crucial for identifying patients at ri

SUBMITTER: Ponzo V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7843537 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature