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Eating disorders are associated with adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes: a systematic review

Maila de C das Neves1,2,3,4, Ananda A Teixeira3, Flávia M Garcia3

  • 1Comissão de Estudos e Pesquisa da Saúde Mental da Mulher, Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Revista Brasileira De Psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999)
|May 19, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Eating disorders (EDs) in pregnant women are linked to adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes, including perinatal depression and complications like anemia. Healthcare providers should screen for EDs during pregnancy to improve maternal and infant health.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Psychiatry
  • Perinatal Health

Background:

  • Eating disorders (EDs) represent a significant public health concern.
  • Maternal mental health during pregnancy is crucial for both mother and child well-being.
  • Limited systematic reviews exist on the specific obstetric and perinatal impacts of EDs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review existing literature on obstetric and perinatal outcomes in women with eating disorders.
  • To examine the consequences of maternal eating disorders for offspring development.
  • To synthesize evidence on the association between eating disorders and pregnancy complications.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
  • Searched PubMed, SciELO, and Cochrane databases for non-interventional studies (1980-2020).
  • Assessed risk of bias using the American Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Methods guide.

Main Results:

  • 30 studies included, revealing associations between EDs and perinatal depression.
  • Common obstetric outcomes included vomiting, hyperemesis, bleeding, and anemia.
  • Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa linked to low birth weight; binge EDs associated with increased birth weight.

Conclusions:

  • Eating disorders, particularly severe or acute cases, correlate with poor perinatal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes.
  • Evidence highlights the need for increased vigilance among healthcare providers.
  • Obstetricians and general practitioners should proactively screen pregnant women for eating disorders.
Abstract

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