Nutritional Rehabilitation: Practical Guidelines for Refeeding the Anorectic Patient

Box 1

NICE guidelines for identification of patients at high risk for refeeding syndrome.

Patient has one or more of:

BMI $<$16 kg/m²

Unintentional weight loss of $>$15% in the previous 3–6 months

Little or no nutritional intake for $>$10 days

Low levels of potassium, phosphorus, or magnesium before refeeding

-or- Patient has two or more of:

BMI $<$18.5 kg/m²

Unintentional weight loss of $>$10% in the previous 3–6 months

Little or no nutritional intake for $>$5 days

History of alcohol misuse or drugs, including insulin, chemotherapy, antacids, or diuretics