Feeding and eating disorders among hospitalized children and adolescents in Thailand: A 5-year secondary national database analysis

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to present national data for children and adolescents requiring hospitalization in Thailand.

Background: Feeding and eating disorders can cause life-threatening and negative health impacts. In Asia, the prevalence is rising. Data from children and adolescents in Thailand are limited.

Design: This study is a retrospective study of the national database.

Methods: Data from the National Health Security Office database on Universal Health Insurance Coverage (2015-2019) of 0-17-year-olds were analysed by diagnosis (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, vomiting associated with psychological disturbances, other eating disorders and unspecified eating disorders). Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression were used.

Results: There were 163 patients, averaging 9.4 ± 5.2 years old, requiring 205 admissions. Most diagnoses showed stable trends, except for a slight decrease in anorexia and unspecified eating disorders. Most admissions were due to unspecified eating disorders and psychogenic vomiting, followed by anorexia nervosa. The overall prevalence was 3.86 per 100 000 admissions. Anorexia had the highest hospital costs and re-admission rates. Anorexia nervosa was most prevalent in early adolescence and females, while bulimia nervosa was most prominent in middle adolescence and had a male predominance.

Conclusion: Early recognition in clinical practice could increase early detection and improve outcomes.

Keywords: Thailand; adolescence; anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; children; eating disorders; feeding and eating disorders; nursing.