A case report: Treatment of severe anorexia nervosa with home total parenteral hyperalimentation

In its chronic and severe phase, anorexia nervosa (AN) carries a high morbidity and mortality rate. In the severe stage, parenteral alimentation is often required. To date, the optimal regime for parenteral refeeding has not been well documented. Most, if not all, such treatment is performed on an inpatient basis. Method: We report here a case of an AN patient treated at home with total parenteral hyperalimentation which is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to be carried out in Israel. Results: The patient has regained 10 kg during treatment, and has maintained her weight a year after treatment. Her gastrointestinal symptoms improved, and she has reduced the amount of laxatives she ingests. Discussion: In this paper we will discuss the various issues and criteria applicable to this treatment, as well as the importance of collaboration between a primary care and specialized clinic.