Eating Disorders in the Perinatal Period: Review and Recommendations
摘要
The perinatal period is a particularly vulnerable time for the onset, continuation, and worsening of eating disorders, especially among women with a current or recent history of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are severe, complex psychiatric illnesses that can complicate the perinatal period in different ways. This review aims to examine the prevalence, etiology, and treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period and offer further recommendations for screening and treatment.
Recent FindingsThere is substantial heterogeneity in eating disorder symptom presentation and course during pregnancy and postpartum, with some women experiencing symptom improvement while others experience symptom exacerbation. Pregnant women with anorexia and bulimia may show symptom remission during pregnancy, while binge-eating disorder tends to worsen. Research on avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder during the perinatal period is scarce. In general, women are at elevated risk for eating disorder relapse and exacerbation in postpartum.
SummaryWhile we recommend approaches consistent with evidence-based eating disorder treatments, there are unique medical, nutritional, and psychological considerations when treating a patient with an eating disorder during the perinatal period. We also highlight opportunities for perinatal eating disorder screening and prevention.