RT Journal
A1 EICHENFIELD LF, JOHNSTON RB, JR
T1 LOw serum complement levels in anorexia nervosa-reply
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1989
FD December 1
VO 143
IS 12
SP 1392
OP 1392
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150240014005
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150240014005
AB In Reply.—It appears that we do not disagree fundamentally with Drs Sigal and Snyder. Certainly, anorexia nervosa is not the same disease entity as malnutrition in Third-World countries. However, pairing them in the table as complement disorders, due primarily to decreased synthesis, is supported by the experimental evidence that is presently available. As we pointed out, circulating immune complexes and endotoxin in patients with malnutrition could deplete complement, but we believe that the weight of evidence at present favors decreased synthesis as the principal mechanism in both disorders. Although decreased levels of complement control proteins may lead to complement consumption in anorexia nervosa, the primary event is decreased production of these proteins. As we reported, complement abnormalities in both entities are rapidly corrected with appropriate feeding.1,2 Perhaps this is the important point.