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Polycystic ovary syndrome linked with autism in offspring

Compared to women without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women with PCOS are more likely to have a child with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs), according to an analysis of NHS data led by Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre.

Using electronic health records obtained from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink in the United Kingdom between 1990 and 2014, the research team conducted 3 matched case-control studies. A total of 8588 women with PCOS and their first-born child were compared to 41,127 control group.

Studies 1 and 2 examined the risk for PCOS in women with ASD (n=971) and the risk for ASD in women with PCOS (n=26,263), compared with matched control groups. Study 3 examined the odds ratio of ASD in first-born children of women with PCOS (n=8588), matched to control groups.

The findings show an increased prevalence of PCOS in women with ASD (2.3% vs 1.1%; unadjusted OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.22-3.30; P<.01) and elevated rates of ASD in women with PCOS (0.17% vs. 0.09%; unadjusted OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.37-2.76; P<.001).

In Study 3, the risk for ASD in first-born children of women with PCOS was 35% higher, even after adjusting for maternal age at childbirth, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia-related illness, complications at childbirth, obesity, diabetes and gestational diabetes (adjusted OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.06-1.73; P<.01). This increased to 42% in male children (adjusted OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.09-1.84; P<.01).

The authors suggest using elevated androgens and markers of hyperinsulinaemia or metabolic disturbances in women with PCOS could lead to improved screening to identify children with autism earlier. Likewise, assessing risks for metabolic conditions in women with autism may also prevent the development of adverse metabolic outcomes, they add.


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