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Hypomagnesemia during refeeding in anorexia nervosa

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Abstract

Background: Magnesium deficiency can cause weakness, constipation, seizures and arrhythmias. We frequently observe hypomagnesemia during refeeding in AN. Objective: To determine the incidence and time of onset of hypomagnesemia during refeeding in anorexia nervosa (AN). Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: University teaching hospital in Vancouver, Canada. Patients: Patients with AN (DSM-IV criteria) admitted for refeeding. Intervention: All patients were admitted for supervised refeeding by meal support, in conjunction with our standard medical and psychological treatment. Measurements: Serum magnesium was measured daily for 5 days and then 3 times a week. Results: Fifty patients were admitted for an average of 24 days. Sixty percent (30/50) had low serum magnesium during their admission. Hypomagnesemia was present on admission in 16% but as late as the third week of refeeding in others. Conclusion: Serum magnesium should be measured on admission and rechecked weekly for the first 3 weeks of refeeding as a minimum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eating Disorders Program, St. Paul’s Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6Z 1Y6

    C. L. Birmingham (Professor and Director), D. Puddicombe & J. Hlynsky

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  1. C. L. Birmingham
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  2. D. Puddicombe
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  3. J. Hlynsky
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Correspondence to C. L. Birmingham.

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Birmingham, C.L., Puddicombe, D. & Hlynsky, J. Hypomagnesemia during refeeding in anorexia nervosa. Eat Weight Disord 9, 236–237 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325074

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325074

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