Scientific article
Review
English

Biological effects of a maternal ED on pregnancy and foetal development: a review

Published inEuropean Eating Disorders Review, vol. 17, no. 6, p. 448-454
Publication date2009
Abstract

The aim of this paper was to review the literature on the biological effects of a maternal eating disorder (ED) (and relevant comorbidities) in pregnancy on mothers and in particular on the foetus. We also aimed to highlight possible mechanisms of risk for long-term consequences in the offspring. Relevant literature was searched for using PubMed, PsychInfo and Google Scholar and manually through relevant research papers. The consequences of maternal EDs in pregnancy on EDs symptoms, psychopathology and perinatal outcomes are discussed. A developmental model of possible risk mechanisms for adverse long-term nutritional and psychopathological outcomes in the offspring is proposed. Maternal EDs during pregnancy are likely to have important long-term biological effects on the foetus. Further research needs to clarify potential biological risk mechanisms highlighted in this review.

Keywords
  • Anorexia Nervosa/diagnosis/physiopathology/psychology
  • Bulimia Nervosa/diagnosis/physiopathology/psychology
  • Congenital Abnormalities/diagnosis/physiopathology/psychology
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/blood
  • Depression
  • Postpartum/diagnosis/physiopathology/psychology
  • Diabetes
  • Gestational/diagnosis/physiopathology/psychology
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders/diagnosis/physiopathology/psychology
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids/blood
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiopathology
  • Infant
  • Newborn
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Malnutrition/diagnosis/physiopathology
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange/physiology
  • Obstetric Labor
  • Premature/physiopathology
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiopathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis/physiopathology/psychology
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/diagnosis/physiopathology/psychology
  • Risk Factors
Citation (ISO format)
MICALI, Nadia, TREASURE, Janet. Biological effects of a maternal ED on pregnancy and foetal development: a review. In: European Eating Disorders Review, 2009, vol. 17, n° 6, p. 448–454. doi: 10.1002/erv.963
Main files (1)
Article (Published version)
accessLevelRestricted
Identifiers
Journal ISSN1099-0968
195views
0downloads

Technical informations

Creation23/10/2020 09:42:00
First validation23/10/2020 09:42:00
Update time16/03/2023 00:25:14
Status update16/03/2023 00:25:13
Last indexation31/10/2024 21:52:03
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack