Associations of preconception Body Mass Index in women with PCOS and BMI and blood pressure of their offspring

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2019 Aug;35(8):673-678. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2018.1563885. Epub 2019 Apr 29.

Abstract

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have unfavorable metabolic profiles. Their offspring may be affected by such risks. The objective of the current study was to disclose associations between preconception health of these women and health of their offspring. 74 women diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria were screened systematically before conception. Cardiovascular health of their offspring was assessed at 2.5-4 (n = 42) or at 6-8 years of age (n = 32). Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed with adjustments for potential confounders. In the primary analyses the association between preconception Body Mass index (BMI) and offspring BMI was evaluated. Secondly associations between preconception blood pressure, androgens, insulin-resistance (HOMA-IR), and LDL-cholesterol in women with PCOS and BMI and blood pressure of offspring were assessed. Results show that preconception BMI of women with PCOS was positively associated with sex- and age-adjusted BMI of their offspring at 6-8 years of age (β = 0.55 (95% CI: 0.12 to 0.97), p = .012). No other significant associations were found. In conclusion, our data suggest that preconception BMI in PCOS is significantly associated with offspring BMI at 6-8 year of age. If this suggestion could be confirmed this may provide an opportunity for improving the future health of these children.

Keywords: Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular; PCOS; cardiometabolic; metabolic; offspring.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Fertilization / physiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Male
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / metabolism
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / metabolism
  • Pregnancy Complications / physiopathology
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects* / metabolism
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects* / physiopathology