Maternal eating disorders and their influence on eating behavior of the children: a review of the literatureBackground: There is conclusive evidence about the influence of mothers with eating disorders (ED) on their children. objective: To describe different aspects about mothers with ED and its implications in the feeding, growing and development in their children. method: A review of specialized textbooks and the available literature in PubMed was made. results: Mothers with previous or present ED show restrictive eating patterns, a deficient affective bond with their own mothers, exhibit more psychiatric comorbidities, mainly depression and anxiety; in addition, feelings of guilt and shame, early cessation of breastfeeding, high control of food consumption of their children, and/or pressure them to eat, irregular mealtimes, unbalanced and monotonous meals, proneness to slimness, a critical attitude about the body shape of their daughters. Breastfeeding implies a critical period for the irruption or relapse of an ED due to the adjustment to the characteristic body shape changes during pregnancy. Conclusions: There is a particular relationship between a maternal ED and its occurrence in their children, and it can be considered a risk factor for its development. (Key words: Eating disorders, children of mothers with eating disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, pregnancy, breastfeeding). Rev Chil Pediatr 2014; 85 (6): 731-739 resumen antecedentes: Existe concluyente evidencia de la influencia de madres con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) en sus hijas (os). objetivo: Analizar descriptivamente los diversos aspectos de madres con historia de TCA y sus implicancias en la nutrición, crecimiento y desarrollo de sus hijas (os). método: Se efectuó una revisión de la literatura disponible en PubMed y textos de consulta especializados. resultados: Las madres con TCA previo o actual muestran patrones alimentarios restrictivos, un vínculo afectivo deficitario con sus propias madres, exhiben más comorbilidades psiquiátricas, principalmente depresión y ansiedad; además ARTíCULO DE REVISIóN Rev