Bulimia nervosa, childbirth, and psychopathology.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether having a baby following treatment for bulimia nervosa places women at increased risk for continuing or relapsing eating disorders or major depression.

METHODS

Subjects were women who had participated in a large randomized controlled trial evaluating cognitive behavior therapy for bulimia nervosa, who were prospectively followed-up over 5 years. At follow-up assessments (at least yearly), life charts were completed with patients and childbirth was recorded. The presence of eating disorders and major depressive disorder was assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-III-R.

RESULTS

Childbirth was not specifically associated with increased symptomatology. This was found for both eating disorders and major depression in the same year as childbirth and for the year following childbirth.

CONCLUSION

Childbirth is not specifically associated with symptomatology following treatment for bulimia nervosa.