Do previous pediatric inpatient interventions predict better outcomes for psychiatric inpatient treatment of anorexia nervosa?

Objectives: To explore the benefits and drawbacks of pediatric hospitalization of adolescents with anorexia nervosa prior to psychiatric hospitalization. Methods: Epidemiologic data, anthropometric measures, and vital signs, as well as hospitalization characteristics and outcomes, were collected retrospectively and analyzed for 104 patients aged 12-18 years old. Results: Pediatric hospitalization prior to psychiatric admission did not result in significant advantages in treatment outcomes. Furthermore, no significant advantages were attributed to long pediatric hospitalization as compared to short hospitalization. Conclusions: This study suggests that for treating adolescent anorexia nervosa, pediatric hospitalization should be recommended only for immediate correction of urgent and life-threatening physical conditions, with short stays preferred over long pediatric hospitalization.