Readmission Risks Identified in Teens With Eating Disorders
TOPLINEAmong adolescents admitted to the hospital for an eating disorder, those with either moderate malnutrition, severe malnutrition, or a primary diagnosis of anorexia nervosa had a higher likelihood of...
TOPLINE Among adolescents admitted to the hospital for an eating disorder, those with either moderate malnutrition , severe malnutrition, or a primary diagnosis of anorexia nervosa had a higher likelihood of being readmitted within 12 months. METHODOLOGY Researchers analyzed data from the PEDSnet database (2010-2024) from eight children's hospitals to assess factors associated with rehospitalization for treatment of eating disorders.
They included patients aged 12-21 years who were hospitalized for the treatment of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa , self-induced purging or vomiting to reduce weight, or other disorders. Overall, 7505 patients (83.8% identified as female) were admitted once, and 2324 (89.1% identified as female) were readmitted within 1 year.
The analysis focused on clinical and demographic factors that were linked to 1-year readmission. Based on the percentage of median BMI, the severity of malnutrition was classified into four groups: no (> 90%), mild (80%-90%), moderate (70%-79%), and severe (< 70%) malnutrition.
TAKEAWAY Patients identified as female had an increased likelihood of being readmitted for eating disorders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.51; 95% CI, 1.30-1.75). A primary diagnosis of anorexia nervosa was associated with higher odds of readmission than other eating disorder types (aOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.31-1.64).
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Patients with severe malnutrition (aOR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.66-2.63) and moderate malnutrition (aOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.27-1.73) had a higher risk for readmission. Concurrent psychiatric conditions, including depression (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.32) and anxiety (aOR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.25), were linked to higher odds of readmission within 1 year, and so was public insurance (aOR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.26-1.56).
Electrolyte abnormalities, specifically hypokalemia (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.18-1.68) and hypocalcemia (aOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.06-2.92), as well as cardiac conditions, such as bradycardia (aOR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.08-1.34), were associated with higher odds of readmission. IN PRACTICE "Identifying these risk factors may allow clinicians to recognize patients at high risk for 1-year readmission on initial admission, potentially guiding plans for closer follow up and/or change in clinical management post initial admission discharge," the authors wrote.
SOURCE The study was led by Sarah J. Calardo, DO, MEd, of the Department of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at Nemours Children's Hospital-Delaware in Wilmington. It was published online on September 22, 2026, in the Journal of Adolescent Health .
LIMITATIONS BMI data were accessible for only 78% of patients, limiting the assessment of malnutrition severity and the analysis of typical vs atypical anorexia nervosa. Large children's hospitals from the PEDSnet database were exclusively included. Additional clinical factors within the public insurance cohort were not controlled for in the analysis.
DISCLOSURES This research was conducted using PEDSnet, a pediatric clinical research network developed through funding from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. The authors reported no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process.
Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
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