Refeeding Syndrome and Vitamin B1 Deficiency in a Young Man Following Starvation During COVID-19
Author Information
Author(s): Tsuji Naoaki, Okumura Hisatoshi, Inaba Satoshi, Kaneko Akihito, Kawashima Atsushi
Primary Institution: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
Hypothesis
Can refeeding syndrome and vitamin B1 deficiency occur in individuals with a normal BMI due to starvation during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Conclusion
The case highlights the importance of assessing nutritional status in young individuals during the COVID-19 era to prevent refeeding syndrome.
Supporting Evidence
- Refeeding syndrome can occur in malnourished patients undergoing mechanical refeeding.
- The patient had a normal BMI but presented with severe nutritional deficiencies.
- Intravenous thiamine was administered to treat vitamin B1 deficiency.
- Magnetic resonance imaging revealed findings consistent with Wernicke encephalopathy.
Takeaway
A young man who didn't eat for 40 days got very sick from not having enough nutrients, even though he looked healthy.
Methodology
Case report detailing the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and treatment of a patient with refeeding syndrome.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in the patient's self-reported history of nutritional intake.
Limitations
The case is based on a single patient, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
A Japanese man in his 20s.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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