A recent study by the Health Research Board (HRB) in collaboration with clinical experts shows a 121% rise in hospital admissions for eating disorders among under-18s in Ireland from 170 in 2018 to 375 in 2022, with a notable peak during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study examined inpatient admissions to both acute medical and psychiatric hospitals and data from community eating disorder services.

Trends of inpatient admissions for eating disorders among children and adolescents in Ireland between 2018-2022 found that of 1,573 the admissions for eating disorders over the 5-year timeframe, 76% were to acute medical hospitals. Inpatient psychiatric hospitals accounted for 24% of admissions.

A proportion of children and adolescents experiencing severe eating disorders may become malnourished and require a brief period of medical stabilisation in an acute medical hospital. A smaller proportion may require an admission to a psychiatric inpatient hospital.

The average length of stay was longer for psychiatric hospitals (72 days) compared to acute medical hospitals (17 days). Over the study period, the average length of stay for eating disorder admissions declined by 11 days from 80 in 2018, to 69 in 2022.

Of the 370 psychiatric admissions over the five-year period, 91% were for anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa. The remainder were for bulimia nervosa (4%) while ‘other’ or unspecified accounted for 5%. Specific eating disorder diagnosis for acute medical hospital admissions was not available to the authors.

There were 902 referrals to two specialist community eating disorder outpatient teams with a notable peak in 2021 (360 referrals). Of the young people seen by these teams, 18% were referred on for inpatient hospital care.

The study shows the growing demand for eating disorder services in both inpatient and community settings. The authors highlighted the need to further develop specialised community-based services, better integration of medical and psychiatric inpatient care and the increased need for inpatient services.

Lead author, Harriet Lovett, said: “The findings show a significant demand for enhanced community and inpatient services that ensure timely and effective treatment for children and adolescents affected by eating disorders”.

The figures in this report were obtained from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) system that records national data on discharges from acute medical hospitals; the HRB’s National Psychiatric Inpatient Reporting System (NPIRS) that records admissions to and discharges from psychiatric hospitals, and data from HSE specialist community eating disorder services.

Read the full report here: Trends of inpatient admissions for eating disorders among children and adolescents in Ireland between 2018-2022