Eating Disorder in Children

Behavior eating disorder in children between 14-18 years of age is known as Anorexia Nervosa. Female adolescents are affected the most.

Anorexia- is loss of appetite

Nervosa- loss is due to emotional reasons


Diagnosis- it is a clinical diagnosis and patient presents with:

• Patient shows refusal to maintain body weight which is required for particular age, weight, height.

• Child feels fear of gaining weight and becoming fat.

• There is disturbance in body weight and shape

• Disturbed cycle


Types-

• Restricting type- child restrict himself/herself to eat

• Binge-eating/Purging type- child has habit of binge eating i.e. self induced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives after eating


This affects child’s health in the form of depression, OCD, phobias, panic attacks, other personality disorders, substance abuse.

Health changes-

• Decrease BP

• Decrease HR

• GI and kidney problems

• Decrease Bone Mass

• Skin dries out and nail become brittle

• Hormonal imbalance

• Anaemia

• Neurological impairments


Death occurs due to starvation, suicide, electrolyte imbalance.  Hospital admission is required to establish weight and restore fluid and electrolyte balance.

Note-

• 70% of patients recovers from the disorder

• It takes 6-7 years time to recover completely

• It is a life threatening illness

• Death occurs due to physical complications

• It runs in the family


Bulimia Nervosa:- It is characterized by rapid consumption of large amount of food followed by compensatory act of vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise.  Patient eats excessively within few months. It affects late adolescent age group.

Difference between Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa is weight loss.  In Anorexia nervosa patient lose excess of weight whereas in Bulimia nervosa do not.

Diagnosis- patient presents with binge eating again and again

• Eating every 2 hours and large amount of food, more than normal what an individual takes

• Sense of lack of control over eating

• Self induced vomiting, use of laxatives, fasting to control weight gain

Types-

• Purging type- includes self vomiting, laxatives and enema use

• Non-purging type- includes exercising, fasting


Food- like ice creams, cakes

DSM Diagnosis quote Bulimia nervosa as diagnosis if patient eats twice a week for 3 months.

Effects are due to-

• Negative affects on child

• Stress


Changes in Health-

• Menstrual changes

• Normal BMI

• Decreased Potassium

• Electrolyte Imbalance

• Tissue tear in stomach and throat

• Salivary glands become swollen


Note-

• 70% of patients recovers from the disorder

• Weight loss do not occur in Bulimia nervosa

• It runs in the family

• Serotonin plays a important role in causing Bulimia

• Dopamine restrains eating


Treatment for eating disorder-

Anorexia nervosa

• Psychological support- firstly in gaining weight and secondly in maintaining weight

• Family support


Bulimia nervosa

• 3 meals/day and snacks in between

• Cognitive behavioral therapy



Call the office of Dr. Ritambhara Lohan and schedule your pediatrician doctor in gurgaon sushant lok today!