Dilemmas concerning the course of pregnancy in patients with anorexia nervosa considering hormonal and somatic parameters

Endokrynol Pol. 2024 May 6. doi: 10.5603/ep.99255. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTMental anorexia nervosa is a rare, potentially severe, chronic, and recurrent mental disorder that occurs more often in women than in men, especially during the childbearing years. The disorder is associated with an increased risk of mortality, mainly related to the physical consequences of severe malnutrition and suicide. Malnutrition of the body can cause serious hormonal and somatic problems. Despite significant hormonal disturbances that reduce fertility, a woman with anorexia can become pregnant. A new phenomenon now seen with increasing frequency is pregorexia, an eating disorder associated with pregnancy. It involves the use of dietary restrictions to avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Pregnancy changes the hormonal economy mainly due to the development of the placenta, which secretes many hormones, not just sex hormones. Mental anorexia poses a significant risk to both mother and child if not diagnosed and treated properly. Treatment of anorexia involves simultaneous somatic and psychological treatment. During pregnancy, additional care should be taken to create an optimal environment for the developing foetus. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of research providing guidance in this area. Available studies are mainly case reports or reports focusing on specific clinical situations. It is worth noting that no study to date has attempted a comprehensive assessment of endocrine...
Source: Endokrynologia Polska - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Source Type: research