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In utero exposure to virus infections and the risk of developing anorexia nervosa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2011

A. Favaro ,
E. Tenconi ,
L. Ceschin ,
T. Zanetti ,
R. Bosello  and
P. Santonastaso
A. Favaro*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
E. Tenconi
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
L. Ceschin
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
T. Zanetti
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
R. Bosello
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
P. Santonastaso
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
*
*Address for correspondence: A. Favaro, M.D., Ph.D., Clinica Psichiatrica, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, via Giustiniani 3, 35128 Padova, Italy. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

The study aims to explore, using indirect ecological measures of exposure, the role of viral infections in the development of anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method

The cohort of participants consisted of all female subjects born in the Veneto region in the period between 1970 and 1984, and residing in the urban and suburban area of Padua (27 682 female subjects in an area of 424 km2). The main outcome measure was the diagnosis of AN resulting from the Public Mental Health Database, the Register of Hospital Admissions, and the Register of the Eating Disorders Unit (n=402, 1.4%). The number of cases of rubella, chickenpox, influenza and measles was ascertained for each month for the 15-year period.

Results

Exposures during the sixth month of pregnancy to the peaks of chickenpox [odds ratio (OR) 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–2.0] and rubella infections (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.0) were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing AN, even after controlling for socio-economic status, urbanization and month of birth. We found weak evidence of a season-of-birth bias.

Conclusions

In utero exposure to viral infection could be a risk factor for developing AN. We need further epidemiological and serological studies to confirm this hypothesis.

Keywords

Anorexia nervosaprenatal infectionprenatal risk factorsseason of birth
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 41 , Issue 10 , October 2011 , pp. 2193 - 2199
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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