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The offspring of mothers with anorexia nervosa: A high-risk group for undernutrition and stunting?

  • Nutrition
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Abstract

Seven children from three families presented with stunting and low weight-for-height. Their mothers had a history of anorexia nervosa (AN). Evidence was gathered that the children were nourished insufficiently, possibly in combination with psychosocial deprivation. Low growth hormone secretion was documented in three cases. With the increasing ability to induce fertility in anorectic women one should be aware of the effects of maternal AN on the offspring.

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Abbreviations

AN:

anorexia nervosa

GH:

growth hormone

PSD:

psychosocial deprivation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, University Hospital for Children and Youth “Het Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis”, State University, P.O.Box 18009, 3501 CA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    G. van Wezel-Meijler & J. M. Wit

Authors
  1. G. van Wezel-Meijler
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  2. J. M. Wit
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van Wezel-Meijler, G., Wit, J.M. The offspring of mothers with anorexia nervosa: A high-risk group for undernutrition and stunting?. Eur J Pediatr 149, 130–135 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01995864

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01995864

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