Refeeding syndrome.
METHODS
An elderly woman with poor nutritional intake developed profound hypophosphataemia and hypokalaemia following the institution of nasogastric feeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Refeeding syndrome is well recognized in certain undernourished groups of patients, but may not be so well known to physicians looking after elderly patients, whose nutritional status may be more deficient than is originally apparent.
Mallet
Mark
M
Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Box 135, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. mark.mallet@ntlworld.com
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D017674:Hypophosphatemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D013577:Syndrome
D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium