What is infantile anorexia characterized by?

• A. Child's refusal to eat adequate amounts of food for at least 1 month
• B. Child's lack of interest in food due to allergies
• C. Rapid growth with appetite
• D. Excessive weight loss due to malnutrition

Answer: (A)

Infantile anorexia is defined by a persistent pattern of refusing to eat adequate amounts of food for a sustained period, typically lasting at least one month. This focuses on the child’s deliberate reduction in intake rather than an allergy, rapid growth, or a consequence of malnutrition. The other scenarios don’t capture the habitual, voluntary restriction of eating that characterizes this condition. In practice, recognizing this pattern prompts assessing for feeding behaviors and possible underlying factors while ensuring there isn’t an organic illness driving the issue.