It's been well documented that anorexia nervosa affects the reproductive system. Not only is fertility affected, but also once a pregnancy occurs, there may be complications during pregnancy and delivery, such as an increased risk of pre-term and cesarean deliveries as well as low birth weight babies.

While previous studies have suggested that these problems may occur whether anorexia is active or after recovery, a recent Swedish study published in BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that in countries with adequate prenatal medical care, those who have recovered from anorexia have just as favorable birth outcomes as those without the disorder.

In an examination of 828,582 births to women between 1983-2002, researchers found that 1,000 of them had been hospitalized at least once in the past for anorexia nervosa. Of these women, the only difference in delivery and birth outcome was a lower birth weight baby. The researchers believe that this may be a result of better health care both for those with active anorexia nervosa as well as better maternity care for all. They suggest that specialized maternity care for those with a history of anorexia may be necessary only for those having active symptoms during pregnancy.

Posted By: Lori S