Though traditionally the prognosis is considered poor, a good functional recovery is possible. All patients at risk of developing refeeding syndrome should have their electrolytes closely monitored, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, glucose and phosphate. Recent data indicate that the prognosis of critically ill patients may even be better than what is generally considered, despite severe initial clinical manifestations and a tendency by the intensivists to underestimate a possible favorable evolution. While some patients die, most survive and of the survivors, approximately one-third recover; one-third are disabled but are able to live independently; one-third are severely disabled. Permanent disabilities range from minor tremors and ataxia to signs of severe brain damage, such as spastic quadriparesis and locked-in syndrome. Some improvements may be seen over the course of the first several months after the condition stabilizes. The degree of recovery depends on the extent of the original axonal damage.
Central pontine myelinolysis
Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration
Leukoencephalopathy
Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis
Acute flaccid myelitis
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
Cerebellar stroke syndrome
Tropical neuropathy