He stresses the importance of identifying childhood anorexia nervosa and returning the children to an optimum weight to safeguard their puberty. A long-term followup is necessary to accurately determine prognosis. Anorexia nervosa has been reported in prepubertal children, many of whom appear to be more disturbed than adolescents with the same disorder. The precise etiology is uncertain, but life events centering on losses and separation may be onset factors. Due to less body fat and ingestive restriction of both food and water, this disorder may be more ominous in children, necessitating a rapid and vigorous therapy and frequently requiring inpatient treatment.
Prognosis is guarded and uncertain.
Furthermore, coexistent medical illnesses, colitis, or ileitis require careful physical examination and diagnostic procedures and comprehensive integrated treatment and management.