Table 3

Serious medical indicators of REDs and/or EDs requiring immediate medical attention, potential hospitalisation and removal from training and competition (adapted from ED clinical management recommendations, paediatric and adult ED papers and athlete cardiovascular health consensus papers170-176).

Serious medical indicators
≤75% median BMI for age and sex
Electrolyte disturbances (eg, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypophosphatemia)
ECG abnormalities(eg, prolonged QTc interval or severe bradycardia (Adult: HR ≤30 bpm; Adolescent: HR ≤45 bpm))
Severe hypotension: ≤90/45 mmHg
Orthostatic intolerance (Adult & Adolescent: a supine to standing systolic BP drop >20 mmHg and a diastolic drop >10 mmHg)
Failure of outpatient ED treatment programme
Acute medical complications of malnutrition (eg, syncope, seizures, cardiac failure, pancreatitis)
Any condition that inhibits medical treatment and monitoring while training and/or competing
  • Disclaimer: This list should not be used in isolation and should be based on a thorough clinical assessment that considers the severity of the athlete’s physical and mental health.

  • BMI, body mass index; bpm, beats per minute; ECG, electrocardiogram; ED, eating disorder; HR, heart rate; QTc, corrected QT.