Endocrine and renal manifestations of eating disorders in children

Abstract

Eating Disorders (EDs), which are classified as psychoneurotic diseases, are defined by disordered eating habits that may involve insufficient or excessive food consumption, which is detrimental to a person's physical and mental health. According to current data, there is a close connection between eating disorders and damage to endocrine system and kidney functions. Patients with anorexia nervosa need both psychological and physical support. This review describes the underlying pathophysiological processes of the endocrine, renal, and electrolyte disturbances observed in patients with EDs. The purpose of the review is to present all aspects related to disorders of the function of the endocrine system and kidneys in EDs. Human organisms can adapt to changes in environment, including nutrition. However, compensatory mechanisms are temporary in terms of adaptation to malnourishment. One of the systems which is susceptible and impacted is the endocrine system. Disorders of the endocrine system in patients with EDs are multi-vector and include disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system, thyroid gland, insulin system, growth hormone, gonads, leptin-ghrelin system. Background metabolic disorders in EDs are hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia, metabolic alkalosis. They participate in the occurrence and progression of kidney damage. The compensatory functions of the kidneys are preserved until a certain time, which is determined by the level of water-electrolyte, metabolic disorders, tubulo-interstitial damage. The main morphological forms of kidney damage in patients with EDs are nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis, clinical forms are acute kidney damage and chronic kidney disease. The multi-vector nature of disorders in EDs requires a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach. Management of patients with EDs requires a multidisciplinary approach. Keywords: endocrine disorders, kidney damage, pathophysiology.