Introduction: Eating disorders are classified as complex mental disorders, they include problems with eating behavior and thinking about food. Eating disorders are a medical condition, not a lifestyle choice. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to determine the occurrence of eating disorders in pregnancy, their impact on the health of the woman and the outcome of childbirth. Methods: The thesis is based on a systematic review of professional and scientific literature. In the diploma work, the phases of the literature review will be presented with the help of the PRISMA diagram and tables. The literature used includes articles published from 2013 to 2023 in Slovenian and English language. Results: It has been established that women suffering from an eating disorder have an increased risk of excessive weight gain during pregnancy and of giving birth to children who are large for their gestational age. Among women with a known history of eating disorder, an increased risk of bleeding during pregnancy, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, induced abortion and preterm birth has been shown. Most studies that have focused on birth outcomes in women with eating disorders themselves have come to relatively controversial conclusions. A review of studies found a frequent association between eating disorders and perinatal mortality. Discussion and conclusion: The consequences of eating disorders during pregnancy include the following: unplanned pregnancy, birth complications, excessive weight gain during pregnancy, relapse of the disease itself, bleeding during pregnancy, nausea, vomiting, multiple pregnancy, use of laxatives, loss of control over eating and others. The reviewed results of the studies showed that women in labor with a diagnosis of eating disorders have a greater chance of giving birth to a child small for gestational age, the occurrence of placenta praevia, perinatal bleeding, completion of delivery by caesarean section or operative completion of vaginal delivery. After reviewing the research, we would emphasize the importance of reproductive health counseling and ongoing monitoring of affected women. The main purpose of monitoring sick women is to prevent worsening symptoms of eating disorders and adverse reproductive health outcomes.
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