Digestive complication in severe malnourished anorexia nervosa patient: a case report of necrotizing colitis

Abstract

Background: Necrotizing colitis (NC) represents a severe, although rare, complication in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Objective: We report the only case of NC with good prognosis in a severely malnourished AN patient.

Method: Available patient records, imaging, and biochemical data were evaluated.

Discussion: This case represents an unusual gastrointestinal complication and underlines the important clinical role that Parenteral Nutrition (PN) has for some selected very malnourished AN patients. The severe starvation may compromise the normal function of gastrointestinal tract and it can also lead to an incomplete tolerance of enteral refeeding thus making PN required to reach the nutritional rehabilitation.