The female athlete triad: a terrible trio implications for primary care.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the components of the female athlete triad, including definitions and clinical criteria for diagnosis, methods of screening, and treatment options.


METHODS
Selected scientific literature; standard diagnostic guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
The female athlete triad is a cascading event consisting of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. This disorder can occur in any sport but is seen most often in events that emphasize thinness and appearance such as gymnastics, ballet, and diving. It can often go unrecognized and result in irreversible bone loss and possible death.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary care nurse practitioners (NPs) may be the first health care professionals encountering these females; they need to recognize the risk factors and institute a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. The treatment team should be composed of the patient, the NP, a dietitian, a psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse specialist, and the patient's family, coaches, and trainers.
Kleposki
Raymond W
RW
Children's Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA. rayk1@hotmail.com
D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012737:Sex Factors; D013177:Sports