Pregnancy in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Authors: Roy Homburg

Publish Date: 2008

Volume: , Issue: , Pages: 321-332

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Abstract

Although many of the pregnancies in women with polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS may be uneventful there are several complications of pregnancy associated with maternal PCOS These include an increased prevalence of early pregnancy loss EPL gestational diabetes GDM pregnancyinduced hypertensive disorders PET/PIH and the birth of smallforgestationalage SGA babies Increased risk of EPL has been attributed to obesity hyperinsulinaemia elevated luteinizing hormone LH concentrations and endometrial dysfunction Avoiding or managing obesity before pregnancy and treatment with metformin are therapeutic options for these and for the increased prevalence of GDM Administration of metformin throughout pregnancy is a contentious issue Screening pregnant women with PCOS for GDM and PET/PIH especially if obese is recommended although data for a firm association between PCOS and PET/PIH is weak Impaired insulinmediated growth and fetal programming are possible explanations for a higher prevalence of SGA infants in mothers with PCOS Prospective studies employing a large cohort of women with welldefined PCOS compared with a control group matched for body mass index BMI and parity are needed to solve the remaining questions

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