| Title |
Early-onset anorexia nervosa in prepubertal male twin: A case report |
| Authors |
Lapinskaitė, Augustė ; Voiniušytė, Austėja ; Valiulis, Tadas ; Valantiejienė, Goda ; Lesinskienė, Sigita |
| DOI |
10.12998/wjcc.v14.i16.120211 |
| Full Text |
|
| Is Part of |
World journal of clinical cases.. Pleasanton, CA : Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. 2026, vol. 14, iss. 16, art. no. 120211, p. 1-9.. eISSN 2307-8960 |
| Keywords [eng] |
early-onset anorexia nervosa ; eating disorders in children ; prepubertal anorexia nervosa ; child and adolescent psychiatry ; case report |
| Abstract [eng] |
BACKGROUND Early-onset anorexia nervosa (EOAN), defined by onset before 14 years of age, represents a severe and complex subtype of anorexia nervosa (AN). It is characterized by persistent restriction of energy intake, significantly low body weight relative to age and height, intense fear of weight gain, and disturbed body image. Given that AN carries the highest mortality rate among psychiatric disorders, early recognition and prompt initiation of treatment are crucial, particularly in prepubertal children. CASE SUMMARY We describe a rare case of a 10-year-old prepubertal male twin admitted for inpatient psychiatric treatment following a 7-month history of progressive dietary restriction, marked weight loss, fear of weight gain, repetitive self-injurious abdominal behaviors, and disturbed body image. Comprehensive psychiatric assessment, psychological testing, and clinical observation led to a diagnosis of AN. Treatment included structured nutritional rehabilitation, restriction of physical activity, psychotherapy with active family involvement, and pharmacotherapy with sertraline (titrated to 100 mg/day) and olanzapine (titrated to 5 mg/day). During a 4-week hospitalization, the patient showed a reduction in obsessive preoccupations related to body shape and food restriction, with early signs of weight restoration. CONCLUSION This case highlights that AN can present with severe psychopathology in prepubertal children and poses a serious challenge to medical professionals, underscoring the importance of early recognition and intensive, multidisciplinary inpatient treatment, including psychosocial interventions with active family involvement, to achieve meaningful clinical improvement. |
| Published |
Pleasanton, CA : Baishideng Publishing Group Inc |
| Type |
Journal article |
| Language |
English |
| Publication date |
2026 |
| CC license |
|
