Monitoring and treating hypoglycemia during meal-based rapid nutritional rehabilitation in patients with extreme anorexia nervosa

Purpose Hypoglycemia, a complication of prolonged starvation, can be life-threatening and is presumed to contribute to the high mortality of anorexia nervosa. Furthermore, early refeeding in severe anorexia nervosa can precipitate paradoxical post-prandial hypoglycemia. Few studies have analyzed the course of hypoglycemia during nutritional rehabilitation in patients with extremely low-weight anorexia nervosa. No standard practice guidelines exist and recommended strategies for managing hypoglycemia (i.e., nasogastric feeds, high-fat diets) have limitations. Methods This cohort study assessed prevalence and correlates of hypoglycemia in 34 individuals with very low body mass index (BMI < 14.5 kg/m 2 ) anorexia nervosa treated in an intensive eating disorders program with an exclusively meal-based rapid weight gain nutritional protocol. Hypoglycemia was monitored with frequent point of care (POC) glucose testing and treated with oral snacks and continuous slow intravenous 5% dextrose in 0.45% saline (IV D5 1/2 NS) infusion. Results POC hypoglycemia was detected in 50% of patients with highest prevalence noted on the day of admission. Hypoglycemia resolved during the first week of hospitalization in most cases and was generally asymptomatic. Seven patients (20.6%) experienced at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia with POC glucose < 50 mg/dl. Lower admission BMI was associated with higher likelihood of developing hypoglycemia and longer duration of hypoglycemia. Conclusion Meal-based management of hypoglycemia supplemented by continuous IV D5 1/2 NS appears a viable alternative to alternate strategies such as enteral tube feeding. We discuss recommendations for hypoglycemia monitoring during nutritional rehabilitation and directions for future research. Level of evidence Level III, retrospective cohort study.