Anorexia Nervosa and the Use of Total Parenteral Nutrition Refeeding

Anorexia nervosa is a chronic eating disorder which often has a poor prognosis. The likelihood of success in treating this disorder, which most commonly strikes females in their prime of life, is greatly enhanced by the attainment of ideal body weight during the refeeding-weight restoration process. For a select number of refractory, chronic, severe anorexic patients, in whom traditional modes of refeeding through oral or nasogastric routes has not been successful, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) may offer an alternative method of refeeding for this population. Judicious usage of TPN is critical in this markedly malnourished cadre of patients to avoid the morbid complications associated with the refeeding syndrome.