A child with anorexia nervosa presenting with severe infection with cytopenia and hemophagocytosis: a case report

BACKGROUND: Patients with anorexia nervosa in the acute phase have physical complications, such as infectious disease. Although hemophagocytic syndrome due to infection is a rare complication in anorexia nervosa, early identification for hemophagocytosis is important for avoiding a life-threatening condition. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 12-year-old girl with anorexia nervosa presenting with infection with cytopenia and hemophagocytosis during initial nutritional therapy. She developed pyrexia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea during inpatient treatment. Although intravenous antibiotics were administered, the symptoms persisted. Acinetobacter baumannii was detected in blood culture. Hemophagocytosis was present in the bone marrow. Gamma globulin therapy was effective, with improvement in symptoms and cytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Although our case did not fulfill the criteria of hemophagocytic syndrome, clinicians should consider severe infection in anorexia nervosa with cytopenia and hemophagocytosis.