Premium
Pervasive developmental disorders in children of hyperandrogenic women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a longitudinal case–control study
Author(s) -
Palomba Stefano,
Marotta Rosa,
Di Cello Annalisa,
Russo Tiziana,
Falbo Angela,
Orio Francesco,
Tolino Achille,
Zullo Fulvio,
Esposito Rosa,
Sala Giovanni Battista La
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2012.04443.x
Subject(s) - polycystic ovary , medicine , endocrinology , longitudinal study , ovary , insulin resistance , insulin , pathology
Summary Objective Foetal exposure to high testosterone concentrations seems to be involved in the development of mammalian brain and related to pervasive developmental disorders ( PDD s). The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that children born from hyperandrogenic women with polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) are at higher risk of PDD s. Design Longitudinal case–control study. Patients Thirty pregnant PCOS patients with hyperandrogenaemia and other 45 pregnant healthy women were followed during pregnancy. All women had a healthy baby. Measurements Clinical evaluations and biochemical assays of the mothers during pregnancy and after delivery were performed. The children's versions of the A utism‐ S pectrum Q uotient ( AQ ‐ C ), the E mpathy Q uotient ( EQ ‐ C ) and S ystemizing Q uotient ( SQ ‐ C ) tests were administered. Results Total AQ ‐ C and communication scores were significantly higher for children of PCOS patients. Stratifying our population according to sex, total AQ ‐ C , communication and attention switching subscores were significantly higher only for daughters of PCOS patients. EQ ‐ C and SQ ‐ C scores resulted in significantly lower and higher scores, respectively, only in daughters of PCOS patients in comparison with those of healthy non‐ PCOS controls. AQ ‐ C , EQ ‐C and SQ ‐ C scores, irrespective of the studied group and/or subclassification by gender, were significantly influenced by amniotic testosterone levels. Conclusions Daughters of mothers affected by hyperandrogenic PCOS seem to have a higher risk for PDD s probably due to an unbalanced prenatal exposure to high levels of testosterone.