Anorexia nervosa responding to zinc supplementation: a case report

An emaciated 16-year-old female with anorexia nervosa was hospitalized for treatment of vomiting, epigastralgia and diarrhea. The finding of a taste disorder, low serum alkaline phosphatase activity and relatively low serum zinc level strongly suggested a zinc deficiency. Zinc was initially administered intravenously (40 mumol/day) for 7 days, then orally (15 mg elemental zinc/day) for about 60 days. Her digestive symptoms disappeared after the second day of intravenous treatment and she began to gain weight. She rapidly regained her normal weight after one month of receiving the oral zinc supplementation. Both exocrine pancreatic function and intestinal absorption were improved by the prolonged oral administration of zinc. In such cases zinc supplementation may be a therapeutic option in addition to psychologic and other approaches to management.