[EATING DISORDERS IN PEDIATRIC AGE: A BOOM PATHOLOGY]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Eating disorders represent a growing concern in pediatric populations.
• Puberty is identified as a particularly vulnerable period for the onset of these conditions.
• Malnutrition associated with eating disorders can lead to significant medical complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize pediatric patients with eating disorders admitted to Hospital Universitario de Canarias.
• To identify demographic, diagnostic, and clinical features of hospitalized pediatric eating disorder patients.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study was conducted over seven years.
• Data from pediatric patients diagnosed with eating disorders and hospitalized were analyzed.
• Patient characteristics, diagnoses, and clinical findings were examined.

Main Results:

• The study included 35 pediatric patients, with 85.7% being female and an average onset age of 13.5 years.
• Anorexia nervosa-restrictive type was the most common diagnosis (77.1%).
• Frequent analytical alterations included low retinol binding protein (RBP) and vitamin D deficiency; 71.4% required high-calorie supplements, and greater weight gain correlated with lower initial BMI.

Conclusions:

• Eating disorders are increasingly prevalent in children and adolescents, with puberty being a critical period.
• Hospital admission is vital for managing severe cases, ensuring nutritional support, and addressing psychopathology.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent severe weight loss and associated complications.