Based on the information collected from 85 case studies, the number of hospitalizations for an adolescent with eating disorders has tripled during the pandemic. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies showed an increased volume of hospital admission for eating disorders. This increase can be associated with increased psychological distress and interruption in medical care. 

The researchers evaluated patient charts of the subjects admitted to the hospital between Jan1, 2017 to June 30, 2021, and found that a majority of patients were female (90.6%), and white (78.8%), had restrictive eating behavior (97.2%) and had private insurance (80%). Overall, the study highlighted the increase in hospital stays from 1.4 during the pre-pandemic time to 3.6 during the pandemic with the length of stay also showing a significant increase in number. However, the study data is limited to a single center but it suggests an increase in the severity of the condition and its impact on hospital resources. 

The study is an important one, Margaret Thew, DNP, FNP-BC, medical director of the department of adolescent medicine at Children′s Wisconsin in Milwaukee stated in an interview. She stressed that the patients in such cases are sicker and fewer went home after medical stabilization. She also added that clinicians should be aware of the situation and provide early intervention to prevent severe illness and mental stability of their patients. They should be proactive in managing and counseling youngsters who express mood disorders, disordered eating, weight loss, etc. (Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/972697?src= )