Severe enduring anorexia nervosa with significant height increase in adulthood: A case report

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Psychiatry
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder with endocrine complications.
• Hypogonadism and delayed puberty are common in female AN patients, but less documented in males.
• Severe enduring anorexia nervosa (SEAN) can lead to persistent growth delay and absent pubertal development in males.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential for delayed puberty and catch-up growth in adult males with SEAN.
• To explore the role of nutritional rehabilitation in pubertal activation and height gain in SEAN patients.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a male patient with SEAN.
• Radiographic evaluation of epiphyseal plates.
• Sustained nutritional rehabilitation and partial weight restoration.
• Endocrine assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Main Results:

• Patient exhibited persistent growth delay and absent pubertal development.
• Radiography showed unfused epiphyseal plates.
• Nutritional rehabilitation led to delayed pubertal onset and significant height gain.
• Endocrine tests confirmed activation of the gonadal axis and normalized testosterone levels.

Conclusions:

• Delayed puberty and substantial catch-up growth are possible in adult male SEAN patients if epiphyseal plates are open.
• Sustained nutritional rehabilitation is crucial for pubertal activation in these patients.
• Height gain can be a motivational factor in SEAN treatment and informs understanding of growth in malnourished populations.