Incidence of Refeeding Syndrome in Pediatric In-Patients At the US-Mexico Border- A Retrospective Study

The purpose of this study was to establish the incidence of refeeding syndrome concentrated within a border city.

Target Audience

Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is an interdisciplinary, multi-specialty Journal, and articles span the spectrum of medical topics, providing timely, up-to-date information for primary care physicians and specialists alike. The SMJ enables physicians to provide the best possible care to patients in this age of rapidly changing modern medicine. Therefore, the readers of the SMJ are an appropriate target for this article.

Learning Objectives

Refeeding syndrome is a life-threatening, physiological process that occurs when patients with severe malnutrition are too rapidly rehabilitated, leading to the development of electrolyte abnormalities. Hypophosphatemia, a hallmark of the disease, has most commonly been studied, because it is recognized to result in cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, cardiac failure, respiratory failure, rhabdomyolysis, coma, and even death. Although many studies have found caloric intake to be a main causal factor in refeeding syndrome, few have explored other factors, such as geographic location. Border cities, such as El Paso, Texas, have a unique, diverse population. The purpose of this study was to establish the incidence of refeeding syndrome concentrated within a border city. At the conclusion of the activity, learners should be better prepared to:

  • Understand the concept of “Refeeding Syndrome” as it relates to pediatric patients.
  • Review the presentations of refeeding syndrome specifically in pediatric patients with eating disorders.
  • Develop a departmental or institutional protocol for the evaluation of admitted patients at high risk for refeeding syndrome.
  • Incorporate the latest methodology for treating significant eating disorders in admitted pediatric patients into treatment algorithms for consideration by the appropriate clinical providers.

Additional Information

Partner: 
Southern Medical Association
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Course opens: 
06/02/2021
Course expires: 
06/01/2023
Rating: 
0

As an organization accredited by the ACCME, Southern Medical Association requires everyone who is in a position to control the content of an education activity to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. The ACCME defines “relevant financial relationships” as financial relationships in any amount, occurring within the past 12 months, including financial relationships of a spouse or life partner that could create a conflict of interest.

Southern Medical Association encourages Speakers/Authors to identify investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, at first mention and where appropriate in the content.

The following individuals, unless otherwise noted, have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Manuscript Author(s):

Victoria Gonzales, MD

Carlos Lodeiro, MD

Amanda Macias, MD

Denease Francis, MD

Fatima Gutierrez, MD

Indu Pathak, MD

Southern Medical Association/Southern Medical Journal Editorial Staff:

Steven T. Baldwin, MD, SMJ Editor-in-Chief

G. Richard Holt, MD, Interim SMJ Editor-in-Chief

Jennifer S. Price, MA, Managing Editor

Anita McCabe, Copyeditor

Southern Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Southern Medical Association designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AAPA: AAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.

AANPCP: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Healthcare Professionals

For information on applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board. All healthcare professionals who are not MDs or DOs will receive a certificate of participation.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
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This activity is designed to be completed within the time designated; learners should claim only those credits that reflect the time actually spent in the activity. To successfully earn credit, participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period noted, following these steps:

  • Read the goals and objectives, accreditation information, and author disclosures.
  • Login in below to access the article in order to study the educational content and references.
  • Online, choose the best answer to each test question. To receive a certificate, you must receive a passing score.
  • 'Complete the activity evaluation and attestation.'