Int J Eat Disord. 1994 Sep; 16(2): 205-9.

Neuromyopathic complications in a patient with anorexia nervosa and vitamin C deficiency.

Woodruff PW, Morton J, Russell GF.

Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom.

A 19-year-old female patient with anorexia nervosa developed profound weight loss over 1 year associated with vegetarianism and excessive exercise. There was severe wasting and proximal muscle weakness in the legs and bilateral weakness of eye closure. A purpuric rash developed due to vitamin C deficiency. This case demonstrates a new neurological sign in anorexia nervosa indicating a weakness of the orbicularis oculi muscles as part of a more general myopathy. The myopathic and scorbutic features may have a common pathogenesis.