Síndrome de realimentación: el diagnóstico pendiente / Refeeding syndrome: the pending diagnosis

Introducción: El síndrome de realimentación (SR) puede definirse como el conjunto de alteraciones metabólicas desencadenadas tras la rápida reintroducción del soporte nutricional en pacientes severamente desnutridos o con ayuno prolongado. Puede tener repercusiones clínicas, neurológicas y cardiológicas. La hipofosfatemia es el fenómeno predominantemente asociado con el SR. Paciente masculino de 68 años con antecedentes de tabaquismo, EPOC y depresión. Ingresa a UTI por sepsis a foco respiratorio severamente desnutrido (por Valoración Global Subjetiva), con IMC 14.6 kg/m². Inicia nutrición enteral (NE) al 30% de sus requerimientos por riesgo de SR con P sérico basal de 3,9 mg/dl. Al 2do día no se dosa P ni Mg séricos, pero sí se observa K dentro de parámetros normales. Se progresa NE al 50%, y se observa al 3ro°día una disminución significativa del P a 2,1 mg/dl, llegando a 1,9 mg/dl el 4to°día, sin haber progresado aportes (K y Mg en descenso pero dentro de parámetros normales). Se carga al 4to°día con una ampolla de fosfato de potasio, evolucionando favorablemente. Objetivo: Destacar la importancia de prevenir el SR. Discusión: Se observó la repercusión bioquímica característica del SR. El momento de detección de la hipofosfatemia significativa (3ro°día) coincide con el promedio general visto en otros estudios. No hubieron signos clínicos, probablemente porque el P no tuvo un valor crítico. Como terapéutica, se utilizó la lenta progresión de aportes y la corrección de P fue tardía. Podría haber sido adecuada la suplementación de tiamina previo inicio de NE

Introduction: The refeeding syndrome (SR) can be defined as the metabolic alterations developed after a rapid nutrition repletion (oral, enteral, as well as parenteral feeding) of severely malnourished patients. It can have clinical, neurological and cardiological effects. Hypophosphatemia is the predominantl phenomenon associated with SR. A 68-year-old male patient with a history of smoking, COPD, and depression, who is admitted in ICU severely malnourished (Subjetive Global Assesment) due to sepsis at a respiratory focus, with a BMI of 14.6 kg / m². The patient initiates enteral nutrition (NE) at 30% of its requirements due to risk of SR, with baseline serum P value of 3.9 mg/dl. At day 2, no serum P or Mg is given, but K is observed within normal parameters. NE is progressed up to 50%, and a significant decrease of P at 2.1 mg/dl is observed at day 3, reaching 1.9 mg/dl at day 4, with no progress (K and Mg in decline but within normal parameters). He is loaded at day 4 with a potassium phosphate ampoule, evolving favorably. Objective: Highlighting the importance of preventing SR. Discussion: The characteristic biochemical repercussion of SR was observed. The moment of detection of significant hypophosphatemia (day 3) coincides with the general average seen in other studies. There were no clinical signs, probably because P didn´t have a critical value. As therapy, the slow progression of caloric contributions was used, and the correction of P was late. Thiamine supplementation may have been adequate prior to initiation of NE.

Hypokalemia during the early phase of refeeding in patients with cancer

OBJECTIVE: Refeeding syndrome occurs in patients with severe malnutrition when refeeding begins after a long period of starvation. This syndrome increases the risk of clinical complications and mortality. Hypophosphatemia is considered the primary characteristic of the syndrome. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of other electrolyte alterations in patients with cancer during the early stage of refeeding. METHODS: In this observational study, we enrolled 34 patients with cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract receiving upfront radiotherapy who were also enrolled in a nutrition program. A caloric intake assessment, anthropometric measurements and biochemical laboratory tests were performed. RESULTS: Significant weight loss (∼20%) was found in these patients. In the patients receiving artificial nutrition, we found lower levels of potassium and total protein compared with those who were fed orally (p = 0.03 for potassium and 0.02 for protein, respectively). Patients on enteral tube feeding had a higher caloric intake compared with those who were fed orally (25±5 kcal/kg/day vs. 10±2 kcal/kg/day). CONCLUSION: Hypokalemia, like hypophosphatemia, could be a complication associated with refeeding in patients with cancer. Hypokalemia was present in the early stages of high-calorie refeeding. .