Treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the refeeding phase of anorexia nervosa complicated with severe neutropenia and sepsis: a case report

Leukopenia is frequently observed in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). However, serious infectious diseases are infrequent in patients with AN. We present the case of a 13-year-old girl with AN complicated with severe neutropenia and sepsis upon refeeding. Her body mass index was 11kg/m(2) and her absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was 1555/mu L on admission. After the initiation of refeeding, her ANC gradually declined to 346/mu L. High fever occurred and a blood culture tested positive for Enterobacter cloacae. Although fever subsided with administration of antibiotics, human recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was administered to improve her severe neutropenia. After administration of G-CSF, initially for 5days and again for 3days, her ANC became normal and stable. The combination of neutropenia and low body mass index may contribute to severe bacterial infection. Usually, hematological abnormalities such as neutropenia improve spontaneously with the recovery of nutritional status in AN patients. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the indication for treatment with G-SCF. Although a careful consideration is required, treatment with G-CSF is effective in AN patients with sepsis caused by severe neutropenia.