STUNTING OF GROWTH IN ANOREXIA-NERVOSA DURING THE PREPUBERTAL AND PUBERTAL PERIOD

The growth charts of 15 patients with anorexia nervosa during the prep ubertal and pubertal period were carefully reconstructed. All 15 (13 f emales, 2 males) had been suffering from anorexia nervosa for at least 6 months prior to referral. Mean age at referral was 13.3+/-1.3 years and mean duration of anoretic symptoms was 17+/-8 months. In all 15 c ases growth arrest had been present for 13+/-8.5 months prior to admis sion. During the follow-up period, catch-up growth to different degree s was observed in the 13 patients (11 females, 2 males) who remained u nder treatment for at least 1 year. On the assumption that stunting of growth during the prepubertal and pubertal period is a very frequent if not a constant, sign of anorexia nervosa of 6 months duration or mo re, it could be considered an additional criterion for diagnosis of th e disease. The projected height should be included in the calculation of ideal weight. Since patients with growth arrest are usually referre d first to a general pediatrician or a pediatric endocrinologist, it i s recommended that a detailed history of caloric intake, as well as th e attitude of the patient to food, be obtained in each case in order t o confirm the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa.