Protocol-based Interventions for Inpatient Medical Stabilization of Anorexia Nervosa in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa is a feeding and eating disorder characterized by restrictive eating due to distortions in body image. The disorder involves frequent complications that can result in need for medical hospitalization for stabilization of malnutrition-related sequelae including electrolyte disturbances, arrhythmias, syncope, and hypothermia, among others. This article summarizes standard practice in the general medical setting using protocolized interventions for nutritional rehabilitation for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. The core features of these protocols include medical stabilization, structured nutrition delivery, therapeutic strategies addressing treatment interfering behaviors, and identifying appropriate levels of care.