Table 1.

Criteria for determining people at high risk of developing refeeding syndrome (according to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines)

The patient has one or more of the following:

Body mass index less than 16 kg/m2

Unintentional weight loss greater than 15% within the last 3-6 mo

Little or no nutritional intake for more than 10 d

Low levels of potassium, phosphate or magnesium prior to feeding

Or the patient has two or more of the following:

Body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m2

Unintentional weight loss greater than 10% within the last 3-6 mo

Little or no nutritional intake for more than 5 d

A history of alcohol abuse or drugs including insulin, chemotherapy, antacids or diuretics