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A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Impact of Nutritional Factors on Length of Hospital Stay and Readmission Risk in a Reference Unit for Eating
Carlos Nagore González1,2, Claudia Aparicio Callén1, Laura Escartín Madurga1,3
1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
Insights
Nutritional support, including nasogastric tubes and supplements, significantly reduces hospital stays for pediatric eating disorders. A >5% recovery in the Waterlow index also lowers readmission risk in malnourished patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Public Health
Background:
- Eating disorders (ED) pose significant health risks in children, leading to prolonged hospitalizations and readmissions.
- Limited evidence exists on nutritional factors influencing hospital stay duration and readmission rates in pediatric ED patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with extended hospital stays and readmission in pediatric patients diagnosed with eating disorders.
- To analyze nutritional, anthropometric, clinical, and treatment variables in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study adhering to STROBE guidelines (2022-2025).
- Inclusion of pediatric patients (<18 years) admitted for ED at a tertiary referral hospital.
- Data collection on nutritional, anthropometric, clinical, and treatment variables; statistical analysis including logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Seventy-five patients (94.7% female, mean age 14.5 years) were included; 28% experienced readmission.
- Nasogastric tube use and nutritional supplements correlated with shorter hospital stays.
- In moderate-to-severe malnutrition, >5% Waterlow index recovery was linked to lower readmission probability.
Conclusions:
- Indications for nasogastric tube feeding, nutritional supplements, and achieving >5% Waterlow index recovery are crucial for reducing hospital stay and readmission in pediatric ED.
- Isolated anthropometric measures and lab results had limited predictive value for outcomes.
Introduction:
Eating Disorders (ED) represent a significant health concern in the pediatric population due to high morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and frequent readmissions. Scientific evidence regarding nutritional factors that may influence length of stay or risk of readmission is limited in this population.
Objectives:
To identify variables associated with longer hospital stays and readmission in pediatric patients with ED admitted to a reference unit in northern Spain.
Methods:
A retrospective observational study was conducted following STROBE guidelines, including patients under 18 years admitted for ED at a tertiary referral hospital between 2022 and 2025. Nutritional, anthropometric, clinical, evolution-related, and treatment variables were collected. Descriptive analyses, group comparisons according to length of stay and readmission, and logistic regression models were performed to identify associated factors.
Results:
The study included 75 patients, predominantly female (94.7%), with a mean age of 14.5 years. Twenty-eight percent of patients experienced at least one readmission during the study period. Multivariable regression identified that the use of a nasogastric tube and nutritional supplements was significantly associated with reduced length of stay. In addition, in patients with moderate to severe malnutrition, a recovery greater than 5% according to the Waterlow index was associated with a lower probability of readmission. Although anthropometric differences were observed between groups according to their need for readmission, most were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
Nutritional support via nasogastric tube when indicated, the use of nutritional supplements, and a >5% recovery in the Waterlow index in patients with moderate to severe malnutrition are key factors in reducing hospital stay and readmission risk in pediatric patients with ED in our cohort. Isolated laboratory analyses and anthropometric measures showed limited predictive value in this context.
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