Can a mother's polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-related symptoms be used to predict the future clinical profile of PCOS in her adolescent daughter? A pilot study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to establish whether a mother's polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms can predict her daughter's future PCOS clinical profile.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 57 adolescents who attended a paediatric gynaecology clinic between 2017 and 2019 and had an established diagnosis of PCOS according to the 2018 criteria of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. A clinical examination and pelvic ultrasound were performed and the level of total testosterone was measured. A structured questionnaire concerning PCOS symptoms was completed by the girls' mothers.

Results: It was found that 51% of girls with PCOS and 44% of their mothers had an elevated body mass index (BMI), and 35% of girls had an increased waist-hip ratio (>0.85). The mother's BMI significantly predicted her daughter's BMI and waist-hip ratio. It was reported that 40% of mothers had experienced menstrual irregularities, 50% hirsutism and 67% acne, and 12% had a confirmed diagnosis of PCOS.

Conclusion: Our study population had several markers of poor metabolic health (increased BMI and waist-hip ratio) that were passed down from mother to daughter. No direct link was found between a mother's PCOS symptoms and those of her adolescent daughter. In order to establish definitive links between the symptoms of a mother and those of her daughter, a more comprehensive study should be conducted using a larger study sample. Additionally, a follow-up assessment of our studied adolescents would be appropriate to evaluate the progress of their symptoms.

Keywords: Adolescents; mother–daughter correlation; polycystic ovary syndrome.