Anorexia Nervosa With Intermittent Fever Due to Diet-Induced Thermogenesis: A Case Report

Cureus. 2024 Feb 5;16(2):e53647. doi: 10.7759/cureus.53647. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Diet-induced thermogenesis, influenced primarily by protein intake, generates energy from food. Herein, we present the case of anorexia nervosa in a 30-year-old woman, who developed intermittent fever while transitioning from continuous to intermittent tube feeding, with an increase in protein intake. Extensive investigations ruled out infection- or drug-related causes, indicating that intermittent fever resulted from diet-induced thermogenesis due to high protein administration. Recognizing the potential for diet-induced thermogenesis in cases of fever during tube feeding is crucial to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use and prevent the discontinuation of essential medications.

Keywords: anorexia nervosa (an); diet-induced thermogenesis; fever; high protein; nutrition and metabolism; tube feeding.

Publication types

  • Case Reports