Relembrar o sindrome de realimentação

Abstract

The Refeeding Syndrome was described in adult survivors of concentration camps in 1945, and regained attention following introduction of total parenteral nutrition in the 1970s.

Refeeding syndrome is characterized by severe fluid and electrolytes shifts especially phosphate), associated with metabolic abnormalities in malnourished patients undergoing refeeding, whether orally, enterally, or parenterally.

Clinical features involve cardiac, neurologic, hematologic events and even sudden death.
It is not an uncommon entity and may be seen in 0,8 % of all hospitalized adult patients.
It is very important to be aware of the syndrome to prevent this potentially lethal condition: recognize those at risk; laboratory data must be monitored and abnormal values corrected accordingly; and finally, a slow increase in caloric delivery is recommended.

Not all clinics and institutions have nutritional support teams. So it is important to educate heath care practitioners to the potential danger of too aggressively refeeding a chronically malnourished patient – and so remember Refeeding Syndrome.