Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious multifactorial eating disorder characterized by insufficient nutritional intake to maintain a minimum normal weight for one's age and height, a fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. It affects mainly adolescents, but a decreased age at diagnosis has been reported, leading to the definition of a rare form of AN called early-onset or prepubertal anorexia nervosa (EOAN; ORPHA 525738), with reported epidemiological and clinical specificity. Current knowledge and specific treatments for this particular condition remain scarce. We aim to summarize the literature review and synthesize actual knowledge on EOAN for preliminary guidelines to harmonize the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. A scoping literature review was performed from 2010-2021 using PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo and Cochrane via the following search terms: (anorexia nervosa) AND (early-onset OR premenarchal OR prepubertal OR childhood). International guidelines were screened for additional hits. Data extraction was limited to findings relevant to the key topic questions: epidemiology and clinical specificities section, diagnosis and initial evaluation section, treatment section, and follow-up and prognosis section. A total of 1257 titles were retrieved via the initial search strategy. Finally, 42 records were included in the present article (30 articles and 11 international guidelines and 1 literature review). We identified 15 articles relevant for the epidemiology and clinical specificities section, 11 for the diagnosis and initial evaluation section, 3 for the treatment section, and 1 for the follow-up and prognosis section. Despite the growing literature on the epidemiological and clinical features of EOAN, knowledge of specific treatments and prognoses remains scarce in the absence of extensive standardized data collection and few age-specific clinical research protocols. Current international guidelines generally extrapolate strategies proposed for adolescents and young adults to children with a low level of evidence. Continuing research efforts in this specific younger population is needed to validate child-specific care strategies, enabling the establishment of age-appropriate recommendations with a higher level of evidence targeting specific determinants and clinical specificities of EOAN.

Even though Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is an emerging research topic, scarce literature data are available on children with prepubertal AN. To date, no specific study has assessed the potential prognostic factors on treatment outcomes in this population. Observational, retrospective study of 39 children (12.5±1.8 years) hospitalized for AN, with primary amenorrhea and absence of pubertal development at clinical examination. Sexual hormonal profile: plasma levels luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), and prolactin (PRL) were assessed at admission. Clinical (age, duration of illness, comorbidity, admission body-mass index - BMI), treatment (psychopharmacological therapies) and outcome (BMI improvement, length of hospital stay - LOS) variables were assessed. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to assess potential predictors of outcomes. A predictive model of BMI improvement (F(4, 32)=8.713; Adjusted R2=0.491; p<0.001) was documented, with longer LOS (B=0.010; p<0.001), lower plasma levels of E2 (B=-0.043; p=0.002) and lower plasma levels of LH (B=-0.292, p=0.043) predicting a greater BMI improvement. A predictive model of LOS (F(2, 38)=9.527; Adjusted R2=0.310; p<0.001) was documented as well, with younger age (B=17.835; p<0.001), and reduced BMI improvement (B=22.656; p=0.012) predicting a shorter LOS. No predictive value of comorbidity, FSH, P4 or PRL was found. This is the first study to investigate the prognostic value of sex hormones on the treatment of children with prepubertal AN. Low E2, LH, and age, but not FSH, P4 or PRL, were associated with better outcomes. These data should be investigated in wider populations and controlled studies.

Prepubertal anorexia nervosa may entail multiple physical effects. When the onset occurs before puberty, the disorder might be associated with a poorer prognosis and a greater resistance to treatment. Until now, prepubertal anorexia nervosa studies have mostly dealt with symptomatology, but rarely with associated factors. This study aims to differentiate prepubescent from pubescent anorexia nervosa regarding individual, family and social characteristics. At admission in programs specialized in eating disorders, female patients (n = 19 prepubertal and 126 pubertal) and their parents filled in questionnaires (EDI-3, BDI II, IPPA, FACES IV, IDPESQ) on key individual, family and social characteristics associated with anorexia nervosa. Prepubertal and pubertal patient results were compared for each measured variable. Pubertal development and anorexia presence were assessed by a paediatrician in all patients. Prepubertal patients account for 13.8% of all cases and have a lower percentile rank than pubertal patients. The many questionnaire results showed little or no difficulty at personal, family or social level and no difference with older patients. These results contribute to challenge our current understanding of prepubertal anorexia nervosa and the prepubescent patient capacity to report their difficulties, which highlights the importance of using several respondents when defining clinical profiles. L’anorexie mentale prépubère peut entrainer de multiples conséquences physiques. Lorsque le trouble débute avant la puberté, il serait lié à un plus mauvais pronostic ainsi qu’à une plus grande résistance au traitement. À ce jour, les études portant sur l’anorexie mentale prépubère ont traité majoritairement de la symptomatologie, mais rarement des facteurs associés. Cette étude vise à distinguer l’anorexie mentale prépubère et pubère sur le plan des caractéristiques individuelles, familiales et sociales. Lors de l’admission dans des programmes spécialisés pour troubles du comportement alimentaire, les patientes (n = 19 prépubères et 126 pubères) et leurs parents ont rempli des questionnaires (EDI-3, BDI II, IPPA, FACES IV, IDPESQ) portant sur les principales caractéristiques individuelles, familiales et sociales associées à l’anorexie mentale. Les résultats des patientes prépubères et pubères ont été comparés pour toutes les variables mesurées. Le développement pubertaire et la présence d’anorexie ont été évalués par un pédiatre pour toutes les patientes. Les patientes prépubères représentent 13,8% de tous les cas et ont un score centile d’IMC inférieur à celui des pubères. Les résultats aux multiples questionnaires indiquaient peu ou pas de difficulté sur les plans personnel, familial et social ainsi que l’absence de distinction avec les patientes plus âgées. Ces résultats contribuent à remettre en question la compréhension actuelle de l’anorexie mentale prépubère ainsi que la capacité des patients prépubères à rapporter leurs difficultés, ce qui souligne l’importance d’avoir recours à plusieurs répondants lors de l’établissement de profils cliniques.