OBJECTIVE: To collect nationally representative epidemiological data on early-onset eating disorders (EOEDs) in children. DESIGN: Prospective, active surveillance using the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit with key informant design. SETTING: Child health specialists in Australia (July 2002 to June 2005). PATIENTS: Incident cases of EOEDs in children aged 5-13 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disease rates, demographic characteristics, clinical features and complications, hospitalisation, psychological comorbidity, and concordance of clinical features with Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria. RESULTS: We identified 101 children aged 5-13 years with EOEDs (median age, 12.2 years; range, 5.5-13.9 years), of whom one in four were boys. Most were hospitalised (78%), and the mean duration of hospitalisation was 24.7 days (range, 1-75 days). More than 70% of inpatients were admitted to specialised eating disorder units in paediatric teaching hospitals. Among inpatients, 37% met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa; although 61% had life-threatening complications of malnutrition, only 51% met weight criteria. Psychological symptoms were similar to those in adults with anorexia nervosa: 67% of inpatients met both psychological diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa (fear of weight gain/fatness and misperception of body shape). Of 19 postmenarchal girls, 18 had secondary amenorrhoea. Nasogastric feeding was used in 58% of inpatients, and 34% received psychotropic medications. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first prospective national study of EOEDs. It demonstrates the limitations of applying DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa to young children; the high proportion of boys affected by EOEDs; and the significant psychological comorbidity and high frequency of hospitalisation associated with EOEDs. Potentially life-threatening medical complications are common at presentation, suggesting possible missed diagnoses and a need for education of health professionals. The study underlines the severity of EOEDs and the need for joint medical and psychiatric specialist management.
OBJECTIVE: To collect nationally representative epidemiological data on early-onset eating disorders (EOEDs) in children. DESIGN: Prospective, active surveillance using the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit with key informant design. SETTING:Child health specialists in Australia (July 2002 to June 2005). PATIENTS: Incident cases of EOEDs in children aged 5-13 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disease rates, demographic characteristics, clinical features and complications, hospitalisation, psychological comorbidity, and concordance of clinical features with Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria. RESULTS: We identified 101 children aged 5-13 years with EOEDs (median age, 12.2 years; range, 5.5-13.9 years), of whom one in four were boys. Most were hospitalised (78%), and the mean duration of hospitalisation was 24.7 days (range, 1-75 days). More than 70% of inpatients were admitted to specialised eating disorder units in paediatric teaching hospitals. Among inpatients, 37% met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa; although 61% had life-threatening complications of malnutrition, only 51% met weight criteria. Psychological symptoms were similar to those in adults with anorexia nervosa: 67% of inpatients met both psychological diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa (fear of weight gain/fatness and misperception of body shape). Of 19 postmenarchal girls, 18 had secondary amenorrhoea. Nasogastric feeding was used in 58% of inpatients, and 34% received psychotropic medications. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first prospective national study of EOEDs. It demonstrates the limitations of applying DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa to young children; the high proportion of boys affected by EOEDs; and the significant psychological comorbidity and high frequency of hospitalisation associated with EOEDs. Potentially life-threatening medical complications are common at presentation, suggesting possible missed diagnoses and a need for education of health professionals. The study underlines the severity of EOEDs and the need for joint medical and psychiatric specialist management.
Authors: T Bravender; R Bryant-Waugh; D Herzog; D Katzman; R D Kriepe; B Lask; D Le Grange; J Lock; K L Loeb; M D Marcus; S Madden; D Nicholls; J O'Toole; L Pinhas; E Rome; M Sokol-Burger; U Wallin; N Zucker Journal: Eur Eat Disord Rev Date: 2010-03
Authors: Alison M Darcy; Angela Celio Doyle; James Lock; Rebecka Peebles; Peter Doyle; Daniel Le Grange Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2011-02-18 Impact factor: 4.861
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