A Síndrome de Realimentação (SR) é caracterizada por manifestações que estão diretamente relacionadas por uma disfunção eletrolítica. Objetivos: Identificar os aspectos etiológicos e fisiológicos acerca da SR, descrever as principais condutas do (a) enfermeiro (a), visando a prevenção e redução de agravos oriundos da SR. Método: Pesquisa bibliográfica, com caráter exploratório, realizada através de consulta em livros e banco de dados: Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS). Resultados: A SR é caracterizada por manifestações que estão diretamente relacionadas por uma disfunção eletrolítica. Decorre a partir da reintrodução do aporte nutricional em pacientes mal nutridos, que pode desencadear danos letais ao paciente. Conclusão: A produção científica estudada aponta uma escassa produção teórica acerca dos cuidados de enfermagem frente à SR e que esta se relaciona ao processo de repleção nutricional associado à terapia nutricional enteral e parenteral em que o (a) enfermeiro (a) deve estar ciente para saber prestar uma adequada assistência. 
 Descritores: Síndrome de Realimentação; Cuidados de Enfermagem; Terapia Nutricional.
 

Ana Carolina Albino de Oliveira

Denise de Assis Cerrêa Sória

Janaína de Medeiros Tavares

Raquel Oliveira Lima de Melos

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REVIIEW  
ISSN 2175-5361                                                                       DOI: 10.9789/2175-5361.2013v5n5esp77                                                      
Melo ROL, Sória DAC, Tavares JM   et al.                                                            Refeeding syndrome… 
 
R. pes.: cuid. fundam. online 2013. dec., 5(5):77-81 77 
 
Refeeding Syndrome: Nursing Implications 
Síndrome de Realimentação: Implicações de Enfermagem 
Síndrome de Realimentación: Implicaciones de la Enfermería 
 
Raquel Oliveira Lima de Melos¹, Denise de Assis Correa Sória², Janaína de Medeiros Tavares³, Ana Carolina 
Albino de Oliveira
4
 
 
 
Objective: To identify the etiological and physiological aspects on RS and describe the main nursing approaches 
aimed at preventing and reducing injuries from RS. Method: Exploratory bibliographic research, of literature and 
from an online database: Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS). Results: RS is characterized by manifestations that 
are directly related to an electrolyte disorder. Its tems from the reintroduction of nutritional support in 
malnourished patients, which can cause lethal damages. Conclusion: The studied scientific production reveals 
sparse theoretical production on nursing care towards RS, and that is related to the process of nutritional 
repletion associated with enteral and parenteral nutrition therapy in which the nurse must be aware to know 
provide adequate care. Descriptors: Refeeding syndrome, Nursing, Nutrition therapy. 
 
 
 
Objetivo: Identificar os aspectos etiológicos e fisiológicos acerca da SR, descrever as principais condutas do 
(a)enfermeiro(a),visando a prevenção e redução de agravos oriundos da SR. Método:Pesquisa bibliográfica,com 
caráter exploratório,realizada através de consulta em livros e banco de dados: Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS). 
Resultados: A SR é caracterizada por manifestações que estão diretamente relacionadas por uma disfunção 
eletrolítica. Decorre a partir da reintrodução do aporte nutricional em pacientes mal nutridos, que pode 
desencadear danos letais ao paciente. Conclusão: A produção científica estudada aponta uma escassa produção 
teórica acerca dos cuidados de enfermagem frente à SR e que está se relaciona ao processo de repleção 
nutricional associado à terapia nutricional enteral e parenteral em que o(a) enfermeiro (a) deve estar ciente para 
saber prestar uma adequada assistência. Descritores: Síndrome de realimentação, Cuidados de 
enfermagem,Terapia nutricional. 
 
 
Objetivos: Identificar los aspectos etiológicos y fisiológicos sobre el SR, describir los principales conductas de las 
enfermeras, destinadas a prevenir y reducir las lesiones por el síndrome de re-alimentación. Método: Se trata una 
búsqueda bibliográfica, con un carácter exploratorio, realizada por los libros de consulta y base de datos: 
Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BSV). Resultados: El SR se caracteriza por las manifestaciones que están 
directamente relacionadas con un trastorno electrolítico. Se desprende de la reintroducción de la nutrición en los 
pacientes desnutridos, lo que puede causar daños letal es para el paciente. Conclusión: La producción científica 
demuestra una señala un escasa producción teórica sobre los cuidados de la enfermería con el SR y que este 
proceso está relacionado con la repleción nutricional asociadas con la terapia de la nutrición enteral y parenteral 
donde la enfermera debe conocer para proporcionar una atención adecuada. Descriptores: Síndrome de 
realimentación, Enfermería, Terapia nutricional. 
 
1Nurse,Nursing Resident, Graduate Course, level of expertise, in the form of in-Service Training for Nursing 
Services/UNIRIO. Email: enf.raquelmelos@hotmail.com. 2PhD in Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, 
School of Alfredo Pinto Nursing/UNIRIO. E-mail:denise@iis.com.br. 3Nurse. Commission of Nutritional Support at 
the State Workers Hospital, Committee. E-mail: janainamtavares@globo.com. 4Nurse.Nursing Resident, Graduate 
Course, level of expertise, in the form of in-Service Training for Nursing Services/UNIRIO, E-mail: 
anacarolinaalbino@gmail.com. 
ABSS TRACT  
RESS UMO  
RESS UMEM  
ISSN 2175-5361                                                                      DOI: 10.9789/2175-5361.2013v5n5esp77                                                      
Melo ROL, Sória DAC, Tavares JM   et al.                                                           Refeeding syndrome… 
                                                      
 
R. pesq.: cuid. fundam. online 2013. dec., 5(5):77-81 78 
 
 
 
 
 
Nutritional therapy comprises one of the main nursing actions of and is equivalent to one of 
the fundamental steps for the establishment of the healthcare process, being the Refeeding Syndrome; 
it is of one of metabolic complications of this therapy. In this context, it is necessary that the nurse 
acquire knowledge on the symptomatology and pathophysiology, seeking to implement adequate 
practices in patient care. 
The Refeeding Syndrome is triggered by serum depletion of phosphate (P), magnesium (Mg), 
potassium (K), as well as vitamin deficiency and water retention, related with the enteral or 
parenteral nutritional therapy. This syndrome is an important consequence of rapid and excessive food 
intake in severely malnourished patients. This condition began in times of war, when the military 
imprisoned were exposed to prolonged fasting and died immediately after being fed.
1
 
The Refeeding Syndrome or Cellular Steal Syndrome(CSS) can cause cardiac and respiratory 
impairment. Is associated with severe malnourished patients or in prolonged fasting, subjected to 
nutritional therapy is not balanced, in phase of cellular anabolism.2 
This study aims to identify the etiological and physiological aspects of Refeeding Syndrome and 
describe the main nursing practices, aiming at the prevention and reduction of health problems 
stemming from the Refeeding Syndrome. 
The interest on the topic emerged from the evidence of a narrow theoretical production on 
nursing care towards the Refeeding Syndrome. Moreover, it is justified by the need to contribute to 
the construction of a scientific reference material based on understanding of the etiological factors 
and physiological determinants for the occurrence of this syndrome, in order to subsidize the nursing 
actions, providing quality assistance. 
 
 
 
 
 
This is an exploratory bibliographic study. Since that, the objective of this study is to provide 
greater familiarity with the topic, allowing the construction of hypotheses and making it more 
explicit.3  
The search of the bibliographic review occurred through consultation the basis of Virtual Data, 
Virtual Health Library (VHL), available at http://www.bireme.br, in addition to the consultation in 
specific books on nutritional therapy the appendix shows a table with the works that have been 
consulted for the data in this article. 
The selection criteria were articles published in Portuguese and Spanish with the abstracts 
available in the previously cited databases, indexed by the descriptors refeeding syndrome; nursing; 
nutritional therapy; published between 2001-2011, which relate directly to the topic covered in the 
research, thus justifying their choice. The bibliographic analysis of texts was performed by means of 
critical reading in order to organize and summarize data in a way that enabled the provision of 
answers to the problem proposed for research.
3
 
 
 
II NTRODUCTII ON  
METHODOLOGY  
ISSN 2175-5361                                                                      DOI: 10.9789/2175-5361.2013v5n5esp77                                                      
Melo ROL, Sória DAC, Tavares JM   et al.                                                           Refeeding syndrome… 
                                                      
 
R. pesq.: cuid. fundam. online 2013. dec., 5(5):77-81 79 
 
 
 
 
 
Refeeding Syndrome is characterized by symptoms that are directly related by an electrolytic 
dysfunction. It follows from the reintroduction of nutritional intake in poorly nourished patients. Being 
a metabolic complication of enteral or parenteral nutritional therapy, which can cause lethal damage 
to the patient. 
The electrolytic dysfunction that occurs in Refeeding Syndrome is triggered by 
hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypokalemia, as well as the depletion of vitamins, especially 
thiamine and water retention. Such electrolytic disorders occur from the elevation of insulin secretion 
due to the response of the organism to a rapid and excessive intake of nutrients in susceptible 
patients. 
Among the poorly nourished patients who are predisposed to Refeeding Syndrome are affected 
by malnutrition, among them Marasmus and Kwashiorkor, anorexia nervosa, prolonged fasting with or 
without stress, morbid obesity with severe weight loss, patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Being 
that the intensity of the symptoms may vary according to the patient's nutritional dysfunction, clinical 
condition and they are in a fasting period. 
The inadequate diet prescription and/or the initiation of excessive nutritional therapy in 
patients at risk for developing the Refeeding Syndrome, triggers the cellular anabolism, in which the 
high insulin secretion is stimulated by caloric intake increased with consequent deviation fast glucose 
to the intracellular environment, directing the phosphate ions, magnesium and potassium (P, Mg, K) 
can, this mechanism decreases the plasma levels of these electrolytes. 
The depletion of phosphorus (P) is considered the main consequence of Refeeding Syndrome in 
which the level of P ion plasma may abruptly reduce resulting in thrombocytopenia (deficit deficiency 
of blood clotting and leukocyte function), neuromuscular dysfunction (musculoskeletal changes, 
seizures cramps and paraesthesia), impaired ventilatory muscle (hypoventilation and respiratory 
failure), psychological disorders (mental confusion, and eventually coma).
 1,2,4,5
  
Potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) cations are the most abundant in the intracellular middle. 
Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia leads to cardiac dysfunction (arrhythmias and cardiac arrest), 
neuromuscular (weakness, paralysis, numbness, confusion and rhabdomyolysis), gastrointestinal 
symptoms (abdominal pain, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea) and respiratory depression.
1,2,4
  
The main vitamin deficiency is related with the thiamine vitamin(B1) where there is a rapid 
consumption of this, during the glycolysis, triggering a change in glucose metabolism and subsequent 
lactic acidosis. In relation to the fluid overload that arises from the water and sodium retention 
secondary to hyperglycemia and the increase of insulin, resulting in increased extracellular fluid 
compartment and consequent weight gain, forming edema and may lead to heart failure.
1,2,5
 
 It should be emphasized that the metabolic imbalances mentioned produce manifestations that 
directly reflect in the various systems, they being indicators are essential for the early diagnosis and 
intervention in the refeeding syndrome. In this sense, it is necessary that the nurse should have 
knowledge on the syndrome, its etiology, as well as its complications.  
The benefits of nutritional therapy are proven in treatment of critically ill patients with 
disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, in the reduction of the morbidity and mortality of patients with 
different diseases. However, as every therapy it requires knowledge and skill in its handling already 
RESULTS  AND  DII SCUSSII ON  
ISSN 2175-5361                                                                      DOI: 10.9789/2175-5361.2013v5n5esp77                                                      
Melo ROL, Sória DAC, Tavares JM   et al.                                                           Refeeding syndrome… 
                                                      
 
R. pesq.: cuid. fundam. online 2013. dec., 5(5):77-81 80 
 
that can bring complications and risks for patients, especially those most critical and with severe 
metabolic changes, thus requiring strict control.
6
 
Among the nursing implications, primarily, we highlight the need for early detection of patients 
at risk for developing the refeeding syndrome. Although not all patients are prone to the development, 
it is essential that nurses recognize it to minimize its occurrence. 
The monitoring of patients in use of nutritional therapy should be daily, carried out by the 
multidisciplinary team (doctor, nurse, dietitian and pharmacist), being the fundamental laboratory 
monitoring for obtaining the desired benefits, as well as for the detection and control of 
complications.
5,6 
 
Therefore, it becomes essential for the detection and control of the Refeeding Syndrome for 
the realization of biochemical tests, such as the dosage of sodium, potassium, glucose, magnesium and 
phosphorus. The nurse must ensure that the electrolyte deficiencies are corrected before beginning 
the nutritional therapy. 
In this sense, it is necessary that the nurse should have knowledge on the syndrome, its 
etiology, as well as its complications.  
The benefits of nutritional therapy are proven for the treatment of severely ill patients, with 
a gastrointestinal tract disorder, in the reduction of morbidity and mortality of patients with different 
diseases. However, as every therapy, requires knowledge and skill in its handling already that can 
bring complications and risks for patients, especially those most critical and with severe metabolic 
changes, thus requiring strict control.
6
  
According to the RDC 63 of 2000, the Ministry of Health, which determines the technical 
regulation for parenteral nutritional therapy (PNT) and enteral (ENT), which is in accordance with the 
resolution of the Federal Council of Nursing COFEN no. 277/2003 laying down the necessary technical 
and human resources for the administration of parenteral and enteral nutrition the nurse is responsible 
for the administration of enteral and parenteral nutrition, being indispensable the strict control of the 
volume and infusion of this therapy. Such actions are essential for the prevention of Syndrome in that 
the Refeeding may be triggered by the rapid infusion of diet, added to the clinical situation where the 
patient lies. Thus, the nurse can establish protocols that address the practices towards the proper 
management of enteral and parenteral nutrition therapy, contributing to good practice and avoiding 
the complications associated with this therapy. Professional training is a tool that contributes to the 
process of identification and treatment of complications, aiming to minimize the injuries.
7,8
  
 
 
 
 
We conclude that the Refeeding Syndrome is directly related to the process of nutritional 
repletion associated with enteral and parenteral nutrition therapy, being a metabolic complication 
associated with patients with severe nutritional dysfunction they are malnourished, who underwent 
prolonged fasting, with anorexia among others. However, Syndrome and Refeeding can be prevented, 
as well as their diseases. Thus, it is up to the nurse to be able to identify patients at risk, as well as 
the clinical manifestations and to evaluate patient tolerance in relation to diet, serum levels of 
phosphorus, potassium and magnesium; strictly control the diet administration (volume and speed 
infusion), blood glucose monitoring, and water balance vital functions of patients at risk. In this 
CONCLUSII ON  
ISSN 2175-5361                                                                      DOI: 10.9789/2175-5361.2013v5n5esp77                                                      
Melo ROL, Sória DAC, Tavares JM   et al.                                                           Refeeding syndrome… 
                                                      
 
R. pesq.: cuid. fundam. online 2013. dec., 5(5):77-81 81 
 
context, the nurse must have knowledge on the syndrome, its etiology and complications, as well as 
how to operate in an integrated manner with the multi professional team. 
 
 
 
 
1. Sobotka, L (ed.) Bases da Nutrição Clínica, 3. ed. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Rubio, 2008. 
2. Calixto-Lima, L et al. Manual de Nutrição Parenteral. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Rubio, 2010. 
3. Gil, AC. Como elaborar projetos de pesquisa. 4. ed. 12. reimpr. São Paulo: Atlas, 2009 
4. Franca, CPN, Silva, APM. Evitando a Síndrome de Realimentação. Ver. Brás. Nutr. Clin. 2006; 21 (2): 
138-43. 
5.  Silva, AI. Prevenção da Síndroem de Realimentação em Nutrição Enteral. Trabalho de Conclusão de 
Curso de Pós-Graduação Latu Sensu em Nutrição Clínica. São Paulo: 2010. 
6. Matsuba, CST, Magnoni, D. Enfermagem em terapia nutricional. São Paulo: SARVIER, 2009. 
7. Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária – ANVISA (BR). Regulamento Técnico para Terapia de 
Nutrição Enteral. Resol. RCD Nº 63, de 6 de julho de 2000. Disponível em 
www.hc.ufu.br/files/RDC%20ANVISA%20N%C2%BA%2063%20DE%202000.pdf 
8. Conselho Federal de Enfermagem – COFEN (BR). Regulamento da TerapiaNutricional. Resolução Nº 
277, de 16 de junho 2003. Disponível em: http://inter.coren-sp.gov.br/node/3898. 
 
 
Appendix - Types of works consulted 
Sources Quantity 
Indexed  Articles BVS - LILACS 02 
Articles not indexed in databases 02 
Theses and Monographs / CongressionalAnnals 02 
Books 03 
 
 
 
 
REFERENCES  
  
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Pubii ss hee d  oo n::   01// 12// 2013  


Refeeding Syndrome: Nursing Implications

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