Giving up on everything: a case and review of pervasive refusal syndrome

Abstract

We present a case of pervasive refusal syndrome (PRS), in which a 11-year-old female patient refused to eat, drink, interact, or self-care in any way. The patient was kept on IV nutrition and multiple therapeutic options were tried to no effect. After 18 months, the patient spontaneously recovered with no lasting harm, and her symptoms did not recur. We further discuss the current state of clinical knowledge on PRS, as well as the form that has appeared amongst children in asylum-seeking families in Sweden.