Korean Journal of Pediatrics  2008;51(2):209-213

doi:10.3345/kjp.2008.51.2.209

Pericardial effusion in three cases of anorexia nervosa.

Young Kuk CHO 1 ; Su Jin YANG ; Jae Sook MA

Affiliations

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Keywords

Pericardial effusion; Anorexia nervosa; Cardiac tamponade

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

In young adolescent girls, anorexia nervosa is a significant cause of weight loss, and hospital admissions among children and adolescents. Anorexia nervosa is a life-threatening disorder, with about one-third of deaths caused by cardiac complications. A high rate of pericardial effusion has been recently reported in patients with anorexia nervosa, although relatively few cases require pericardiocentesis. Here, we describe three patients with anorexia nervosa who were diagnosed with large pericardial effusions. To prevent cardiac tamponade, pericardiocentesis was performed in two girls.