Hematologic and immunologic abnormalities in anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa has been associated with various hematologic and immunologic abnormalities, including characteristic bone marrow changes, red cell acanthocytosis, leukopenia, complement deficiencies, and defective bactericidal activity of granulocytes. Dietary and psychogenic factors may play a role in these abnormalities, which are readily reversible after resolution of the underlying anorectic state. Although clinical data are conflicting, anorectic patients may have an increased susceptibility to infection.