Affiliation:
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115, United States
2. Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115, United States
Abstract
Background:
To provide a review of the literature with regards to the diagnosis and management
of eating disorders in pregnancy.
Methods:
Available literature was reviewed and summarized to discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis,
natural history of the illness, and treatment.
Results:
Eating disorders are common mental health conditions in reproductive-aged women, including
pregnant women. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are the
most commonly diagnosed, with a mixed clinical picture existing due to the fluidity between these
conditions. Pregnancy can often act as a trigger for eating disorders given the focus on weight gain
and the stressors associated with the changing physical appearance of pregnancy. There are significant
maternal and fetal risks associated with eating disorders in pregnancy including an elevated
risk of cesarean delivery, postpartum depression, preterm delivery, and perinatal mortality. Treatment
of eating disorders should involve a multidisciplinary team of providers with close monitoring
in pregnancy and the postpartum period with honest discussions on handling weight gain and triggering
restrictions associated with pregnancy.
Conclusion:
Pregnancy is a high-risk time for women with eating disorders given the significant
maternal and fetal risks of their illness.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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