Can pediatricians recognize eating disorders? A case study of early-onset anorexia nervosa in a male child

Abstract

Introduction: this article examines a boy who was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at eight years old. Pediatricians and family physicians encountered difficulties during the diagnosis and treatment stages due to the fact that early onset of the disease is rare.

Case report: a boy aged eight years and four months presented with bradicardia, malnutrition and dehydration as far away from the preliminary diagnosis of anorexia nervosa investigated for possible organic pathologies at the pediatric ward. Finally, he was diagnosed with early-onset anorexia nervosa and anxiety disorder based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5.

Discussion: the case highlights two important points. First, this case report demonstrates a limited awareness of anorexia nervosa and of a psychosomatic or psychiatric origin of weight loss in children among physicians. Second, disrupted eating behaviors and mood changes may be predicting factors for the development of full-blown anorexia nervosa.