Increased energy expenditure in a patient with diencephalic syndrome

Total energy expenditure, measured in an infant with diencephalic syndrome with doubly labeled water, was 30% to 50% higher than that reported for other healthy infants whose energy expenditure was measured by the same technique and 13% higher than the patient's energy intake. This result suggests that the weight loss and cachexia of the diencephalic syndrome are the result of abnormally increased energy expenditure.