Anorexia Nervosa With Intermittent Fever Due to Diet-Induced Thermogenesis: A Case Report

TL;DR

A woman with anorexia nervosa developed intermittent fever due to high protein intake during tube feeding, not from infection.

Contribution

Identifies diet-induced thermogenesis as a cause of fever in anorexia nervosa patients undergoing tube feeding.

Findings

Intermittent fever was linked to high protein intake during tube feeding.

No infection or drug-related causes were found for the fever.

Diet-induced thermogenesis should be considered in similar clinical cases.

Abstract

Diet-induced thermogenesis, influenced primarily by protein intake, generates energy from food. Herein, we present the case of anorexia nervosa in a 30-year-old woman, who developed intermittent fever while transitioning from continuous to intermittent tube feeding, with an increase in protein intake. Extensive investigations ruled out infection- or drug-related causes, indicating that intermittent fever resulted from diet-induced thermogenesis due to high protein administration. Recognizing the potential for diet-induced thermogenesis in cases of fever during tube feeding is crucial to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use and prevent the discontinuation of essential medications.

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