Outcomes of paediatric medical stabilisation admissions for restrictive eating disorders: a multicentre evaluation

Eating disorders (ED) are associated with mortality and morbidity. The outcomes of a short refeeding admission on a paediatric ward have not previously been evaluated in a UK setting. The aim was to describe the patient population and identify key outcomes to develop a standard data set.A retrospective cohort analysis of 85 children and young people (CYP) from 2 UK hospitals. Patients included were 0-18 years, admitted for a restrictive ED from January 2018 to September 2022 where length of stay was >1 day. Cases were most often midadolescent (15.1 years, IQR=2.7) females (n=73, 85.9%) and the most common diagnosis was anorexia nervosa (AN)-(n=41, 48.8%).Discharge to community treatment was the most common outcome (n=51, 61.4%) with the remainder transferred to onward inpatient care. Medical instability was present in n=22 (25.9%). The median length of stay was 21.0 days (IQR=23.0). Nutritional supplements were required for one in three CYP either orally (n=30, 36.1%) or via a nasogastric tube (n=25, 30.1%). Biochemical refeeding syndrome was seen in n=20 (24.1%). A diagnosis of AN or lower % median body mass index on admission was both associated with transfer for further inpatient care (p<0.05).This study provides baseline data of core outcomes to inform a multicentre dataset and offer valuable information when counselling CYP and families. It also provides services with baseline outcomes to work to improve the care and outcomes of CYP with restrictive EDs.