title: Hypomagnesemia during refeeding in anorexia nervosa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnesium deficiency can cause weakness, constipation, seizures and arrhythmias. We frequently observe hypomagnesemia during refeeding in AN.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence and time of onset of hypomagnesemia during refeeding in anorexia nervosa (AN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University teaching hospital in Vancouver, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with AN (DSM-IV criteria) admitted for refeeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients were admitted for supervised refeeding by meal support, in conjunction with our standard medical and psychological treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum magnesium was measured daily for 5 days and then 3 times a week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients were admitted for an average of 24 days. Sixty percent (30/50) had low serum magnesium during their admission. Hypomagnesemia was present on admission in 16% but as late as the third week of refeeding in others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum magnesium should be measured on admission and rechecked weekly for the first 3 weeks of refeeding as a minimum.
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorders Program, St. Paul's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Canada. clbirm@interchange.ubc.ca
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Birmingham
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Puddicombe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hlynsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D002149:Energy Intake; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D015995:Prevalence