Anorexia nervosa: death from complications of ruptured gastric ulcer

Death from the complications of a ruptured gastric ulcer in a 15 year old girl with anorexia nervosa is reported. A Medlars II search of the literature indicates no previously reported deaths from this cause in anorexia nervosa. This patient presented the classical clinical characteristics of the syndrome and the course of her illness serves to re-emphasize the seriousness of the disease and the importance of early management of anorexia nervosa.