Abstract
BackgroundMaternal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has potential detrimental effects on the neurodevelopment of offspring. This study aimed to evaluate the brain metrics in fetuses of women with PCOS based on fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsThis retrospective study included 60 pregnant women with PCOS (PCOS group) and 120 pregnant non-PCOS women (control group). Fetal MRI was performed followed an ultrasound and for numerous clinical indications including known or suspected fetal pathology, history of fetal abnormality in previous pregnancy or in a family member. Fetal brain biometry and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value were analysed.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, fetuses in the PCOS group showed the following characteristics compared to fetuses in the control group: (1) smaller cerebral fronto-occipital diameter (FOD), vermian height (VH) and anteroposterior diameter of the pons (APDP) (evident before 32 weeks; P = 0.042, P = 0.002 and P = 0.016, respectively); (2) larger left and right biparietal index (evident before 32 weeks; P = 0.048 and P = 0.025, respectively); (3) smaller left lateral ventricle (LV) (evident after 32 weeks; P = 0.005); (4) larger anteroposterior diameter of the vermis (APDV) and hippocampal infolding angle (HIA) (evident after 32 weeks; P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively); (5) higher ADC value in frontal white matter (FWM) and in basal ganglia (BG) (evident before and after 32 weeks; all P < 0.05).ConclusionsThere exist a different pattern of brain metrics in PCOS offspring in utero.
Highlights
Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has potential detrimental effects on the neurodevelopment of offspring
Fetal brain biometric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters and the correlation with gestational age (GA) As shown in Table 2, fetal brain biometric MRI parameters in PCOS group when GA ≤ 32 weeks and > 32 weeks were compared with the control group
After adjustment for potential confounding variables, cerebral fronto-occipital diameter (FOD), vermian height (VH) and anteroposterior diameter of the pons (APDP) of fetuses in PCOS group were significantly smaller than control group (P = 0.042, 0.002, 0.016, respectively), while left and right biparietal index in PCOS group were significantly larger than control group (P = 0.048, 0.025, respectively)
Summary
Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has potential detrimental effects on the neurodevelopment of offspring. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occurs in 5–12 % of women at reproductive age [1]. The physical development, neurodevelopment, metabolic and reproductive profiles, endocrine status, cardiovascular feature of PCOS offspring have been presented [4]. The genetic component and the intrauterine environment of maternal PCOS, may have adverse impact on programming and developing of PCOS offspring [5]. It is not clear whether the impacts of maternal PCOS on offspring exist from the early development in fetal period, and few has investigated fetal characteristics of PCOS in utero
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