title: Respiratory functions in adolescents hospitalized for anorexia nervosa: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of malnourishment on the respiratory system of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) hospitalized for medical stabilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  hospitalized adolescents with recent onset (<1 year) AN.
  
  
  METHODS
  adolescents hospitalized for other diagnoses. Excluded: participants with lung disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' characteristics (mean ± SD) for the AN (n = 16) and the control group (n = 13) on admission were: age: 15.0 ± 1.7 vs. 15.2 ± 1.4 years, p = 0.7; body mass index (BMI): 15.5 ± 2.3 vs. 19.8 ± 2.9 kg/m², p < 0.001; venous pH 7.34 ± 0.02 vs. 7.38 ± 0.03, p < 0.001; PCO₂ 53.3 ± 4.1 vs. 42.5 ± 3.1 mm Hg, p < 0.001; and HCO₃ 28.7 ± 2.0 vs. 25.3 ± 2.4 meq/L, p < 0.001, respectively. There were no significant differences in nocturnal respiratory rates, pulse-oximetry oxygen saturations, or end-tidal CO₂. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in adolescents with AN revealed no obstructive, restrictive, or significant pulmonary vascular disease except for lower peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs). During hospitalization (12.3 ± 3.8 days), their weight, BMI, mean nocturnal heart rate, and respiratory rate increased significantly, while their venous PCO₂ and HCO₃ decreased significantly without significant changes in PFTs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adolescents with recent onset AN, admitted for medical stabilization, demonstrate hypercapnia despite normal PFTs, except for decreased PEFRs. These could result from decreased respiratory muscle strength and/or abnormal control of breathing.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Bnai Zion Medical Center, The B&R Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel.
authors: Nogah C
authors: NC
authors: Kerem
authors: Elvira
authors: E
authors: Averin
authors: Arieh
authors: A
authors: Riskin
authors: Nave
authors: N
authors: Tov
authors: Isaac
authors: I
authors: Srugo
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Kugelman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena