RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Severe refeeding syndrome after human chorionic gonadotropin diet: a potentially lethal complication
JF BMJ Case Reports
JO BMJ Case Reports
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e244011
DO 10.1136/bcr-2021-244011
VO 14
IS 11
A1 Max J Schunemann
A1 Martina Bertschinger
A1 Christian Trachsel
A1 Esther Bachli
YR 2021
UL http://casereports.bmj.com/content/14/11/e244011.abstract
AB We present the case of a young male patient who presented with paralysing muscle weakness due to severe hypokalaemia and hypophosphataemia. The initial patient history evaluations could not establish the aetiology. Only after we reviewed the patient’s history did he reveal that he had been following a severe calorie-restricted regime, the human chorionic gonadotropin diet, which had ended 2 days prior to developing symptoms. This information then allowed us to diagnose severe refeeding syndrome. As a further complication, the patient developed rhabdomyolysis. After correction of serum electrolytes, symptoms resolved completely. This case emphasises the potential harm of severely calorie-restricted diets, often recommended by online ‘experts’. Furthermore, we underline the importance of thorough history taking.