Refeeding Syndrome in Historical Perspective: Its First Description by Rodulfus Glaber (1033)

The refeeding syndrome refers to a potentially fatal situation hallmarked by sudden death and cardiac decompensation that can occur when a malnourished person is refeeded. Electrolyte disturbances are currently considered to play a role in its pathophysiology. In the absence of laboratory measurements, clinical descriptions of the refeeding syndrome so far date back to the early post world war II period, including anecdotal evidence from victims of the nazi concentration camps. Here we want to draw attention to a medieval description that fulfils the clinical description of the refeeding syndrome by the French monk, Rodolfus Glaber. He writes about people suffering from the Burgundy famine (1033) that “even when they received food, they became distended and died immediately” (fourth book, chapter 4, 13). With this reference to medieval famine, we wish to pay tribute to those who suffered from the holocaust 75 years after their liberation.