Early-onset eating disorders in Australian children: A national surveillance study showing increased incidence.
Int J Eat Disord
; 55(12): 1838-1842, 2022 12.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35979631
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to collect prospective national data on early-onset eating disorders (EOEDs) in children in Australia to document changes in clinical presentations, medical complications, management, and incidence since initially described in 2002-2005.METHOD:
Each month pediatricians reported children aged 5-13 years newly diagnosed with an eating disorder to the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit and provided de-identified clinical data.RESULTS:
Between 2016 and 2018, 184 children were confirmed with EOED with a minimum estimated national incidence of 2.79 per 100,000 children aged 5-13 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.40-3.23), nearly double the previously recorded incidence. The mean age at diagnosis was 12.2 years; 43(24%) were boys who were younger than girls (11.85 vs. 12.33 years; p = .03). All had food avoidance. Common symptoms included fear of weight gain 140 (76%), preoccupation with body weight 134 (73%), and misperception of body size 116 (63%). Bradycardia was present in 83 (45%) and 117 (64%) who required hospital admission. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5) criteria for anorexia nervosa were met for 144 (78%).DISCUSSION:
Children with eating disorders continue to present with severe illness. Near doubling in incidence in just over a 10-year period highlights the need for increased clinical resourcing and comparable international data. PUBLICSIGNIFICANCE:
The incidence of new presentations of eating disorders in children aged 5-13 years has nearly doubled since a similar study was conducted over 10 years ago. Children were unwell for an average of 8 months before diagnosis; approximately 80% had a clear diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and 64% needed hospital admission due to medical complications. This highlights the need for improvements in education and clinical resources for this age group.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Aumento de Peso
/
Trastornos de Alimentación y de la Ingestión de Alimentos
Tipo de estudio:
Guideline
/
Incidence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Límite:
Child
/
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Eat Disord
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia