Refeeding syndrome in catatonic schizophrenia

• Main Authors: Supriya Agarwal, Rakesh Kumar Biswas, Abhishek Gupta, Sandeep Choudhary
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Journal of Mental Health and Human Behaviour
• Subjects: catatonia; refeeding syndrome; schizophrenia
• Online Access: http://www.jmhhb.org/article.asp?issn=0971-8990;year=2019;volume=24;issue=2;spage=151;epage=153;aulast=Agarwal

Refeeding syndrome is an uncommon but potentially fatal condition. It occurs in a patient who consumes a large amount of calories over a brief period of time after a sustained period of starvation. This syndrome is characterized by a high risk of cardiovascular collapse secondary to electrolyte imbalance if left untreated or if there is a delay in the management. Psychiatric patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or severe depression are known to refuse food for a prolonged period of time, thus creating a malnourished or starved metabolic state. The purpose of this article is to bring an acute awareness and sensitize the fellow psychiatrists about refeeding syndrome, a likely fatal possibility in a starved or malnourished patient on refeeding. Prompt recognition and management in collaboration with medical colleagues can save the life of these patients.