Pediatria pre prax 4/2016

Bone health in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychosomatic disease, which is characterized by typical ,,female triad“, namely cachexia, irregular menstrual cycle and bone loss (osteopenia/osteoporosis). Extremely low body mass index in anorexia nervosa, is associated with hormonal adaptations and alterations in order to survive the nutritional deprivation, but in consequence of multiorgan changes, including skeletal defects. In terms of bone health, patients with anorexia nervosa belong to the most endangered groups. Primarily alarming is a rapidly increasing incidence of fractures, already shortly after diagnosis of MA. Early osteologic diagnosis, including DXA, can detect subclinical damage to “growing“ skeleton and decrease the serious morbidity of young individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa.

Keywords: anorexia nervosa, bone health