Maternal eating disorder severity is associated with increased latency of foetal auditory event‐related brain responses. (28th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doersam, Annica Franziska; Moser, Julia; Throm, Jana; Weiss, Magdalene; Zipfel, Stephan; Micali, Nadia; Preissl, Hubert; Giel, Katrin Elisabeth
• Is Part Of: European eating disorders review. Volume 30:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2021-10-28
• Subjects: anorexia nervosa -- brain -- development -- eating disorders -- foetus -- fMEG, pregnancy; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/erv.2870
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1072-4133

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Maternal eating disorders (EDs) are associated with adverse pregnancy and child outcomes. There is limited research investigating the influence of maternal EDs on foetal brain development. Method: Using foetal magnetoencephalography (fMEG), an auditory sequence was presented for 10 min to assess brain response latencies in foetuses of mothers with ( n = 12) and without ( n = 11) a history of anorexia nervosa (AN) in the third trimester of pregnancy. ED history and severity were assessed using the structured clinical expert interview eating disorder examination (EDE) and the self‐report questionnaire EDE‐Q. Results: Foetuses of mothers with AN showed delayed foetal brain responses to auditory stimulation compared to foetuses of control women. Self‐reported ED symptom severity explained 34% of variance in foetal brain response latencies in the AN group. Conclusions: ED pathology was strongly associated with foetal brain response latencies in the third trimester with longer latencies in foetuses of women with a history of AN reporting more ED symptoms. Follow‐up on the children is pivotal to investigate if fMEG outcomes are associated with later child development. Highlights: Foetuses of mothers with lifetime anorexia nervosa (AN) showed a slower brain response to auditory stimulation compared to foetuses of control mothers, though, this difference was not statistically significant Self‐reported eating disorder severity explained 34% of variance in foetal auditory evoked brain response latencies in the AN group A history of maternal AN might have an impact on the child's brain development, even in mothers who do not fulfil overall diagnostic criteria