Unique considerations for the medical care of restrictive eating disorders in children and young adolescents

Abstract

Plain English summary Eating disorders are affecting increasingly younger patients, with ages of onset that now include children and young adolescents. This brings new risk, as children and young adolescents with eating disorders may develop unique medical complications related to the energy needs for the growth that should occur during this developmental stage. Inadequate energy intake during eating disorders in children and young adolescents can have long-term consequences including negative impacts on final height and bone and brain health. Children and young adolescents with eating disorders may present to care with acute concerns that require medical hospitalization and significant support to begin feeding again safely. Providers caring for children and young adolescents with eating disorders should be familiar with these unique complications and understand critical factors in the initial assessment, medical stabilization, and nutritional rehabilitation of children. The clock is ticking, and the goal of care of children and young adolescents with restrictive eating disorders should be to safely restore normal growth and puberty as quickly as possible.

Keywords

• Eating disorders
• Children and young adolescents
• Medical complications
• Growth and development