Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is most often the form of a protracted reactive state of the pubertal period. In children of early age, the causes of this disease may be posthypoxic encephalopathy, neuropathic form of intrauterine hypotension, fright, improper or violent feeding, child isolation, etc. Neurogenic anorexia may be caused by disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary system, the onset of schizophrenia or another mental illness.

Clinical picture. For young children are characterized by refusal to eat, often vomiting. In older children (more often in girls), there is also a refusal of food to lose weight; They gradually abandon fatty, and then from protein foods, switch to small amounts of carbohydrates: sweets, ice cream, fruit. Often there are other methods of weight loss: intense physical exercises, vomitive and cleansing agents, etc. All this ultimately leads to exhaustion, general weakness, anemia, constipation, amenorrhea in girls.

The diagnosis is based on anamnesis and clinical symptoms. Differential diagnosis is carried out with anemia, amenorrhea, adrenal insufficiency, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, habitual vomiting.

Treatment. In young children, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of stress, introduce a sparing diet. Sometimes resort to sedatives (valerian, bromine, etc.). Older children should be given psychotherapy sessions, suggestions, sometimes hypnosis. Consultation of a psychiatrist is necessary. The forecast in some cases is very serious.