Abstract

This paper describes 48 children, aged 14 years or less, who met diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa modified from Morgan and Russell. The characteristics of the sample (13 boys and 35 girls) are described along with features of the illness, associated family characteristics, treatment in hospital, and a brief description of treatment. Difficulties in diagnosis are addressed, with reference in particular to the high incidence of depression in this group. Finally, the importance and difficulty of close paediatric/psychiatric liaison in diagnosis and treatment is emphasised.