title: Premenarcheal anorexia nervosa.
abstract: The notions of 'early-onset' and 'prepubertal' anorexia nervosa are reviewed, with particular reference to the role of the pubertal process within the condition. A database of 650 female cases is utilized to identify a small sub-group (n = 30) who developed the condition before the menarche. Many clinical, familial, social and precipitating factors distinguish this group from post-pubertal cases as a whole, and a sub-group of post-menarcheal cases (n = 42) matched for age. An explanation for previous inconsistent findings in 'early-onset' and 'prepubertal' anorexia nervosa is advanced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, McGuinness Adolescent Unit, Prestwich Hospital, Manchester, U.K.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Gowers
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Crisp
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joughin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000523:psychology; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008572:Menarche / Q000523:psychology; D010553:Personality Development; D012931:Social Environment