Evidence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Before Onset of Puberty

Many daughters of mothers with PCOS have increased ovarian volume and metabolic abnormalities before puberty.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5% to 10% of adult women and is characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism. Both genetic and intrauterine environmental factors have been implicated in its etiology. Investigators in Chile and Boston examined reproductive and metabolic profiles in daughters of mothers with and without PCOS (according to NIH criteria) and matched for Tanner stage of pubertal development. All girls underwent transabdominal ultrasound to measure ovarian volume, oral glucose tolerance tests, gonadotropin-releasing–hormone (GnRH) agonist tests to measure serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, androstenedione, 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and estradiol. Fastin…

Reviewing Author

Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Evidence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Before Onset of Puberty

Topics

Reviewing Author