[Refeeding syndrome in a girl with cerebral palsy].

Abstract

Refeeding syndrome is a serious and life-threatening complication associated with oral, enteral and parenteral nutritional therapy. It appears in severely malnourished patients or in those at risk of malnutrition, such as persons with cerebral palsy. We present the case of an 8-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who was admitted with severe hypoglycemia. After starting enteral nutrition by nasogastric tube, she developed refeeding syndrome. In children with cerebral palsy, it is essential to assess the presence of risk factors for refeeding syndrome before starting any nutritional support, and then start feeding progressively and monitor serum electrolytes.