[Anorexic and pseudoanorexic child].

After having conducted and examined an extensive six-year survey of 1372 children (758 females and 614 males, from newly born babies to 12 year olds), the Authors evaluate the importance of anorexy; in fact, it is one of the most frequent reasons for parents taking their children to a pediatrician, as they often see it as a "problem" even when it may not be the case. It is wise not to underestimate the importance of anorexy and the Authors set down some guidelines including the research into the symptoms which may lead us to organic forms, the evaluation of the child's auxologic and nutritional state and an analysis of the existing relationship between mother and child. Defining the most frequent forms of anorexy as primary, they advise carrying out a diagnosis of this type only after the presence of other secondary forms has been excluded, especially in the first year of life.