Growth Restriction in the Offspring of Mothers With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
An erratum to this article was published (JAMA Netw Open, 2 Feb 2026 ↗)
Authors' conclusion
In this cohort of mother-infant pairs, maternal PCOS status was associated with lower birth weight, shorter birth length, and smaller head circumference in the offspring. This growth restriction was more pronounced when adjusting for BMI, providing insight into the association between PCOS and body mass index. The study contributed to the understanding of how PCOS affects the offspring.
Study context
- Population
- Women with singleton pregnancies and live-born children, followed from first half of pregnancy to birth; Norway
- Participants
- 390 vs 68,708
- Exposure
- Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) vs reference population
- PCOSn = 390
- Referencen = 68,708reference
- Outcome
- Newborn birth weight, birth length and head circumference (continuous and z scores), ponderal index, placenta weight and birth weight to placenta weight ratio (BWPW)
- Follow-up
- Birth
Methodological detailscombined data from 3 clinical trials and MoBa reference population
- Combined data from 3 clinical trials and MoBa reference population
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Newborn anthropometrics (z scores)
Difference in ponderal index, g × 100/cm3 (95% CI)
PCOSvs Reference
−0.04(−0.07 to −0.004)
Difference in placenta weight, g (95% CI)
PCOSvs Reference
−24(−43 to −5)
- Between PCOS and Reference
- mean difference in birth weight z score −0.26 (95% CI −0.38 to −0.14)
- Between PCOS and Reference
- mean difference in birth length z score −0.19 (95% CI −0.33 to −0.05)
- Between PCOS and Reference
- mean difference in head circumference z score −0.13 (95% CI −0.26 to −0.01)
- PCOS vs Reference
- difference in birth weight to placenta weight (BWPW) ratio 0.4 (95% CI 0.3–0.5)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
BMI adjustment
- Association between growth restriction and PCOS more apparent when additionally adjusting for BMI
PCOS phenotype and GDM within PCOS
- Neither PCOS phenotype nor GDM diagnosis was associated with neonatal anthropometry in women with PCOS
Original publication
Growth Restriction in the Offspring of Mothers With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. JAMA Netw Open. Published 1 August 2024. doi:10.
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