Nocturnal nasogastric refeeding for hospitalized adolescent boys with anorexia nervosa

Boys with anorexia nervosa have nutritional needs exceeding those of their female counterparts. For many males with anorexia nervosa, oral refeeding alone may result in low discharge weight, a critical risk factor in relapse. This study compared the short-term outcomes of oral refeeding (OR) and a combination of OR with supplemental nocturnal nasogastric refeeding (NNGR) in a sample of hospitalized boys. This was a retrospective chart review with a cohort design. Subjects were partitioned into: The OR group (n = 8, mean age = 14.9, SD = 1.7) and the OR + NNGR group (n = 6, mean age = 13.8, SD = 2.0). The NNGR group had greater increase in weight and Body Mass Index. Their average length of hospitalization was also shorter. Nocturnal nasogastric refeeding, complementing oral refeeding, should be considered as an alternative initial therapy for weight restoration in males with anorexia nervosa.