0
0
Norwegian researchers highlight the impact of maternal health issues on child development.
A recent study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has raised significant concerns regarding the health of children born to mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity. The research shows that these children are more likely to experience lower birth weight, shorter length, and smaller head circumference compared to their peers.
PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that affects one in every eight women. It leads to an imbalance in sex hormones, causing irregular or rare menstrual cycles, elevated male hormone levels, and the development of small cysts on the ovaries. The condition often accompanies various long-term health challenges such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
The NTNU study, which examined data from 390 children born to mothers with PCOS, compared these results with data from around 70,000 children in the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Researchers discovered that, on average, children born to mothers with PCOS had a lower birth weight, were shorter, and had smaller head sizes. This was particularly pronounced in mothers with obesity, defined by a BMI of 30 or above.
Professor Eszter Vanky, from NTNU’s Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, explained, “In women of normal weight who have PCOS, we only find that their children have a lower birth weight compared to women who do not have PCOS. It is the group of children born to mothers with obesity that stands out the most. These babies have lower weight, shorter stature, and a smaller head circumference. Obesity places an additional burden on mothers with PCOS and their children.”
Interestingly, the typical trend for women with obesity is to give birth to larger babies, especially those who gain significant weight during pregnancy or develop gestational diabetes. However, the opposite is true for women with PCOS, who are at higher risk of obesity and gestational diabetes. Despite these factors, their babies tend to be smaller than average. Researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact cause but suspect that the placenta, which plays a crucial role in nutrient delivery to the fetus, may be affected in these women.
The study’s authors noted that while the placenta in women with PCOS is smaller than usual, it works harder to deliver nutrients relative to the baby’s body weight, a phenomenon that could lead to placental insufficiency in some cases, and in rare instances, fetal death. However, the exact mechanisms behind this remain unclear. “There are many hypotheses, but no definitive answers yet. Previously, we thought the cause was linked to high levels of male sex hormones, but we have not been able to fully connect the two,” Vanky said.
The researchers emphasized the importance of understanding these risks, as early fetal health plays a significant role in long-term outcomes. “A newborn baby is not a blank slate. Much of our long-term health is established in the womb. Genes play a role, but also what we are exposed to during the fetal stage and early life,” added Vanky.
NTNU researchers are now investigating the long-term health impacts on children born to mothers with PCOS. Preliminary follow-up data shows that at the age of 7, these children tend to have more central obesity, meaning they carry excess weight around the waist. Studies have also indicated that low birth weight in infants is linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life.
“We see differences in children as early as 7 or 8 years old, where children born to mothers with PCOS have a larger waist circumference and higher BMI. They bear small signs that their mother has PCOS,” Vanky observed. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and supporting the health of children born to mothers with PCOS, offering guidance on diet and lifestyle choices to help mitigate long-term health risks.
The researchers also aim to explore ways to better manage PCOS during pregnancy to ensure optimal outcomes for both mother and child. Vanky stresses that understanding the mother’s health situation and taking steps to regulate weight gain and glucose levels during pregnancy could lead to improved health outcomes for the baby.
This study underscores the critical need for healthcare providers to offer tailored care for women with PCOS, particularly those who are obese, to ensure better health for both mothers and their children.
