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Bulimia Nervosa: Reproduction and Consequences for Mother and Child

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Eating Disorders

Abstract

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by cycles of recurrent episodes of binge eating and compensatory behavior, i.e., vomiting, in order to prevent weight gain. In women, the peak incidence of BN is between 15 and 29 years of age, signifying the importance to understand the impact of the disease on reproductive function, pregnancy, and postpartum period and how children to mothers with eating disorders are affected. Bulimia nervosa is associated with menstrual disturbances, which commonly are attributed to either functional hypothalamic amenorrhea or polycystic ovary syndrome, and hence impaired fertility.

On long term, women with BN seem to have similar reproductive outcomes as healthy women. Importantly, pregnancy constitutes a vulnerable time period and could affect the disease course among women with ongoing disease and possess a relapse risk for women with previous disease. Consequently, it is important to identify these women in maternal healthcare in order to provide adequate support and management to prevent adverse outcomes. Maternal bulimia nervosa is associated with several adverse pregnancy-related outcomes, including anemia, hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational diabetes, and premature delivery. Children to mothers with eating disorders seem to suffer from an increased risk of developing specific conditions throughout childhood. This chapter reviews available evidence on the impact of bulimia nervosa on fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum period and childhood health.

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Abbreviations

AN:

Anorexia nervosa

BN :

Bulimia nervosa

FHA:

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea

FSH:

Follicle-stimulating hormone

GH:

Growth hormone

GnRH:

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

HG:

Hyperemesis gravidarum

LH:

Luteinizing hormone

PCOS :

Polycystic ovary syndrome

SGA:

Small for gestational age

SHBG:

Sex hormone-binding globulin

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

    Ängla Mantel

  2. Division of Neonatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Angelica Lindén Hirschberg

Authors
  1. Ängla Mantel
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  2. Angelica Lindén Hirschberg
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ängla Mantel .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK

    Vinood B. Patel

  2. School of Life Course and Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK

    Victor R. Preedy

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Mantel, Ä., Lindén Hirschberg, A. (2023). Bulimia Nervosa: Reproduction and Consequences for Mother and Child. In: Patel, V.B., Preedy, V.R. (eds) Eating Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16691-4_49

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16691-4_49

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-16690-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-16691-4

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