What causes refeeding deaths in children with SAM and how can it be avoided?
Refeeding deaths have been attributed to sudden overactivity of the sodium pump when children are given relatively large amounts of F100 or other high-energy diet early in recovery. The result is a sudden efflux of sodium from cells leading to circulatory overload, the first signs of which are increased pulse and respiratory rates, and may be mistaken for pneumonia. To avoid refeeding deaths make sure there is a gradual transition to the high-energy diet.
