What is Refeeding Syndrome?

Discussion Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder with an intense fear of being overweight (i.e. distorted body image), and self-starvation and excessive weight loss. It is more common in women (1.2%) than men (0.2%) but can be seen in both genders. Risk factors include high-intelligence, perfectionism/inflexibility, anxiety, activities where thinner body types are expected (e.g. dancer, diver, gymnast, long-distance runner, volleyball player, etc.) Other eating disorders include bulimia nervosa (i.e. cycles of binge eating and then purging), binge eating disorder (i.e. purging), orthorexia (i.e. obsessions with healthful eating), avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, compulsive exercise, laxative abuse, rumination, pica, and unspecified eating disorder. Treatment includes a multimodal approach with appropriate nutritional resuscitation (if needed) and intake, nutritional counseling, mental health counseling and support. Long-term, building skills to develop an appropriate relationship with food is the key, along with building supports to help the patient continue healthy habits. Learning Point “Refeeding syndrome (RFS) broadly encompasses a severe electrolyte disturbance (principally low serum concentrations of the predominantly intracellular ions; phosphate, magnesium and potassium) and metabolic abnormalities in undernourished patients undergoing refeeding whether orally, enterally or parenterally. In essence, RFS reflects the change from catabolic to anabolic m...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news