Comparison of the metabolic parameters and androgen level of umbilical cord blood in newborns of mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome and controls

BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess the metabolic parameters and androgen concentration in the cord blood of newborns of mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison with controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010-2011 in Isfahan, Iran. Biochemical tests were conducted on 40 infants, born from singleton pregnancies in women with PCOS and an equal number of controls. RESULTS The mean weight gain during pregnancy was higher in women with PCOS than in controls (16.02 ± 4.39 vs. 9.10 ± 2.20 kg, respectively, P < 0.0001). The mean birth weight was lower in newborns of mothers with PCOS than in controls (2905.25 ± 415.59 vs. 3223.25 ± 425.02 vs. grams, respectively, P = 0.001). The mean testosterone was higher in cord blood of newborns of PCOS women than in controls (5.58 ± 3.20 vs. 2.28 ± 0.62 pg/ml, P < 0.0001). Triglycerides and LDL-C were lower in cord blood of newborns, born from PCOS women than in controls (P = 0.001). The birth weight of the newborns of PCOS mothers was negatively correlated to free testosterone of cord blood (R = -0. 26, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION The metabolic aberration in PCOS might influence fetal birth weight and cord blood lipid profile. These disorders may be caused by an exposure to elevated testosterone level during fetal life. The offspring of PCOS women may be at higher risk for chronic diseases in later life. The clinical impact of our findings should be confirmed in future longitudinal studies.