Pregnancy outcomes in women with active anorexia nervosa: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

It is a common misconception that women with active anorexia nervosa (AN) are less likely to conceive. Pregnancies in women with AN are considered high risk. The purpose of this systematic review was to explore pregnancy complications in women with active AN, including maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications.

METHODS

The authors conducted a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA statement guidelines with stringent selection criteria to include studies on patients with active AN during pregnancy.

RESULTS

There were 21 studies included in our review. Anaemia, caesarean section, concurrent recreational substance use, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, small-for-gestation (SGA) birth, and low birth weight were the most reported pregnancy complications in women with active AN, while the rates of gestational diabetes and postpartum haemorrhage were lower.

DISCUSSION

Women with active AN have a different profile of pregnancy complications comparing to malnourished women and women in starvation. We recommend early discussion with women diagnosed with AN regarding their fertility and pregnancy complications. We recommend clinicians to aim to improve physical and psychological symptoms of AN as well as correction of any nutritional deficiency ideally prior to conception. Management of pregnancies in women with active AN requires regular monitoring, active involvement of obstetricians and psychiatrist. Paediatric follow-up postpartum is recommended to ensure adequate feeding, wellbeing and general health of the infants. Psychiatric follow-up is recommended for mothers due to risk of worsening symptoms of AN during perinatal period.

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

Objective:

To systematically review the literature focusing on obstetric and perinatal outcomes in women with previous or current eating disorders (EDs) and on the consequences of maternal EDs for the offspring.

Methods:

The study was performed following the systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. PubMed, SciELO, and Cochrane databases were searched for non-interventional studies published in English or Portuguese from January 1980 to December 2020. Risk of bias was assessed using the Methods guide for effectiveness and comparative effectiveness reviews (American Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality).

Results:

The search yielded 441 records, and 30 articles were included. The psychiatric outcome associated with EDs in women was mainly perinatal depression. The most prevalent obstetric outcomes observed in women with EDs were vomiting, hyperemesis, bleeding, and anemia. Most studies found maternal anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa to be associated with low birth weight and slow fetal growth. Women with binge EDs delivered children with increased birth weight. Of the 30 studies included, methodological quality was good in seven, fair in eight, and poor in 15 studies.

Conclusion:

A considerable body of evidence was reviewed to assess obstetric and perinatal outcomes in EDs. Acute and lifetime EDs, especially if severe, correlated with poor perinatal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes. Obstetricians and general practitioners should be vigilant and screen for EDs during pregnancy.