Children of mothers with eating disorders, particularly eating disorder not otherwise specified, have over three times the risk of developing sleep disorders and other psychiatric conditions, according to a recent study.

The population-based cohort study, using Finnish national registers, examined the association between maternal eating disorders, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), and psychiatric diagnoses in offspring. The study included 392,098 mothers (mean age 30.15 years) and 649,956 offspring born in Finland from 2004 to 2014, with follow-up data extending to 2021. Of the mothers, 6,273 (1.60%) had a history of eating disorders, 23,114 (5.89%) had prepregnancy underweight, and 208,335 (53.13%) had overweight or obesity.

Following children from ages 7-17 years, researchers found that maternal eating disorders—including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS)—were associated with increased risks of several psychiatric conditions in offspring. Among the 106,777 offspring (16.43%) diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorder, those of mothers with EDNOS demonstrated a significant increase in the risk of sleep disorders (hazard ratio [HR], 3.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.39-4.67) and social functioning and tic disorders (HR, 2.79; 95% CI, 2.21-3.52). Additionally, maternal severe obesity (BMI ≥35) was associated with a twofold increase in the risk of offspring intellectual disabilities (HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.83-2.28).

The study revealed that adverse birth outcomes, such as prematurity or low birth weight, combined with maternal eating disorders further increased these risks. For instance, this combination raised the risk of offspring feeding disturbances (HR, 4.53; 95% CI, 2.97-6.89), while maternal anorexia nervosa with adverse birth outcomes was associated with increased risk of ADHD and conduct disorders (HR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.74-2.96).

The researchers controlled for multiple variables including maternal age, smoking status, and socioeconomic factors. However, the study had limitations, including a relatively short follow-up time and lack of paternal data.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the study examined associations between maternal nutritional status, including eating disorders and BMI, and the risk of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in offspring. The findings indicated that maternal eating disorders and BMI outside normal ranges were associated with increased risks of specific psychiatric conditions in children.

Full disclosures can be found in the published study.