Publications by authors named "Elana M Bern"

Background And Objective: Few studies have examined pediatric hospital utilization across the spectrum of eating disorder (ED) diagnoses among hospitalized patients. We describe sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, hospital utilization, and enteral tube feeding and examine factors associated with hospital utilization among patients with EDs.

Methods: Using data from the Pediatric Health Information System, we included patients aged 4 to 20 years with primary ED diagnoses hospitalized from 2018 to 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: There is limited evidence to guide management of patients with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) admitted for medical stabilization. We describe variations in inpatient care which led to the development of a multidisciplinary inpatient clinical pathway (ICP) to provide standardized management and examine differences after the ICP was implemented.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients with ARFID admitted to Adolescent Medicine, Gastroenterology, and General Pediatrics at a single academic center was conducted.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess the progression of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in youth aged 9 to 23 over two years, focusing on factors influencing treatment outcomes and diagnostic changes.* -
  • Among 100 participants, 50% maintained their ARFID diagnosis while a small percentage shifted to anorexia nervosa; severity in certain ARFID profiles affected persistence and remission rates during follow-ups.* -
  • The results highlight the unique characteristics of ARFID compared to other eating disorders and emphasize how specific profiles can help predict the course of the disorder.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new feeding and eating disorder added to the DSM-5 in 2013 and ICD-10 in 2018. Few studies have examined hospital utilization for patients with ARFID specifically, and none to date have used large administrative cohorts. We examined inpatient admission volume over time and hospital utilization and 30-day readmissions for patients with ARFID at pediatric hospitals in the United States.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Eating disorders (EDs) such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder are associated with restricted diets and abnormal compensatory behaviors, frequently leading to malnutrition and oral and gastrointestinal manifestations. Dental and oral complications are generally caused by malnutrition, micro-nutrient deficiency, and chronic acid exposure; hence, treatment of the ED and frequent dental examinations are essential to reduce morbidity. Gastrointestinal manifestations are multifactorial in origin, and may be caused by disordered behaviors, malnutrition, anxiety, and/or may be a function of the ED itself.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Individuals with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, may present with a range of gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations. The oral cavity, salivary glands, GI tract, pancreas, and liver can be impacted by nutritional restrictive and binge/purging behaviors. Complications are often reversible with appropriate nutritional therapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose Of Review: The authors examine the differential diagnosis for gastrointestinal disorders that should be considered in individuals who present with nonspecific gastrointestinal and nutritional complaints suggestive of an eating disorder.

Recent Findings: This review first identifies diseases with which eating disorders are often confused and then explores features in the history, physical examination, and laboratory studies, which can provide clues to the cause of the patient's symptoms. In addition, it discusses the recommended evaluation and treatments for the gastrointestinal diseases that most commonly mimic the presentation of eating disorders including Crohn disease (CrD), celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Inflammatory bowel disease in children can be marked by aggressive disease both at presentation and over time. Risk stratification of individual patients may help identify when early biologic therapy is justified. Currently, combination biologic and immunomodulator therapy for moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease is the most effective treatment regimen.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF