Refeeding Syndrome With Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Case Report

Refeeding syndrome refers to a clinical condition whereby biochemical abnormalities such as hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and mainly hypophosphatemia occur upon recommencement of feeding, typically in malnourished catabolic patients. A 36-year-old female presented at 30 weeks gestation with hyperemesis gravidarum. During this admission, the patient developed transaminitis with low platelets prompting suspicion of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, but the concurrent findings of severe hypophosphatemia and rhabdomyolysis were not in favor of HELLP syndrome but that of refeeding syndrome. These clinical entities proved to be a diagnostic dilemma but, ultimately, the patient was managed under refeeding syndrome. The multidisciplinary approach amongst gastroenterology, internal medicine, obstetrics, hematology, and dietetics departments led to the slowing up of the titration of caloric feeds, which ultimately led to full recovery.