Aim: In recent years, there has been a remarkable increase in eating disorders among pediatric patients. The identification of certain clinical profiles allows us to better understand predisposing or triggering factors, as well as disorder prognosis in this age range. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to describe the patterns of pediatric patients with eating disorders to improve the approach of Pediatricians for these early-onset disorders and promote protocolized interventions as an essential tool to improve the health of these children. Methods: A retrospective study of pediatric patients diagnosed with eating disorders from 2009 to 2019 in a third-level pediatric hospital evaluated the demographic, biographical, anthropometric, psychiatric, and clinical characteristics, as well as others related to diagnosis and treatment. Results: Symptoms among children are similar to those experienced by adults and adolescents; however, incomplete forms of the disease are more frequent in children. The main differences between the age groups include a more equitable sex ratio, a shorter time evolution of the disease before diagnosis, less deterioration of overall health state in the first evaluation and a shorter duration of the disorder. Conclusions: The best prognosis in children could be explained by the closer medical follow-up of these patients and their better adherence to treatment, the early intervention of parents and higher dependence on their caregivers in food choices and intake. In addition, greater plasticity for psychological treatment and coordination of the multidisciplinary team in the care process also contributed the observed trend.
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