Abstract

DUENAS DISOTUAR, Yunior et al. Eating disorders in pediatric age: a boom pathology. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2015, vol.32, n.5, pp.2091-2097. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.3305/nh.2015.32.5.9662.

Aims: to determine the characteristics of pediatric patients suffering from eating disorders that were hospitalized at Hospital Universitario de Canarias. Materials and methods: a retrospective study in a cohort of pediatric patients diagnosed with eating disorders and admitted in our area was developed during the last seven years. Results: out of 35 patients in our study, 85.7 % were women, onset average age 13.5. 77.1% of the cases were diagnosed as anorexia nervosa- restrictive type. The most frequent analytical alterations, detected when patients were in hospital, consisted in a drop in plasma levels in retinol binding protein (RBP)- in 57.6% of the cases- and D hypovitaminosis- in 46.9 % of them: the use of high - calories supplements was required in 71.4% of patients during hospitalization. The average weight gain was higher when the body mass index (BMI) was smaller at patient´s admission to hospital (p = 0,006). Conclussions: eating disorders are increasing in pediatric age: puberty is a special vulnerable period for its development, as well as medical complications secondary to malnutrition. Admission to hospital is an essential tool for handling many cases; taking the necessary monitoring leading to a weight increase, preventing complications in nutritional support and tackling the underlying psychopathology. Diagnosis and a precocious treatment are crucial to avoid an excessive weight loss and more complications.

Keywords : Eating behavior disorder; Anorexia nervosa; Vitamin D; Retinol binding protein.

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