Anorexia nervosa and pregnancy: having a baby when you are dying to be thin--case report and proposed treatment guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

Pregnant women with anorexia nervosa (AN) are at risk for multiple complications to both the woman and fetus. This report examines when to obtain a psychiatric evaluation or admission to an inpatient psychiatric unit to ensure the safety of both the woman and fetus.

METHOD

A case report of a pregnant woman with AN describes the risks of extreme weight loss during pregnancy and the deleterious effects on the fetus's viability and mother's health.

RESULTS

Psychiatric intervention was not requested until late in gestation, when the patient's mental status and low weight had already deteriorated to a point of high risk to both the mother and fetus.

DISCUSSION

We propose the development of treatment guidelines for the pregnant patient with AN to ensure the delivery of optimal care for both the mother and the fetus.