Case series of eating disorders hospitalized in a pediatric service

Introduction: Introduction: eating disorders (EDs) have increased worldwide, presenting at younger ages and with greater severity, often requiring hospitalization. The limited availability of child-and-adolescent psychiatric beds has confronted pediatric services address these cases. Case report: the series includes 20 patients admitted to a pediatric ward due to restrictive ED between 2020-2024; 17 were female, the average age was 12.5 years, 13 were admitted due to failure of outpatient treatment, 5 due to vital risk, and 2 due to treatment failure at another inpatient facility. The mean length of hospitalization was 17 days (range: 3-30 days); 17 patients were discharged home, without external caregiver, to continue outpatient treatment. Discussion: we describe the comprehensive care model implemented during hospitalization, comprising medical, nutritional, and mental health interventions. This approach may provide effective management of this condition, replicable in other healthcare facilities.