Women with PCOS pass elevated heart disease risk to their children
A massive Nordic study tracking nearly 7 million births over 48 years found that children born to mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome face significantly higher cardiovascular disease risk throughout childhood and young adulthood. The finding could reshape preventive care strategies and create new market opportunities for early screening and intervention programs targeting at-risk populations.
Originaltitel: Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and Offspring's Risk of Cardiovascular diseases in Childhood and Young Adulthood
<p>Children born to mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and of subclinical cardiovascular disease, but the association between maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiovascular disease in offspring is unclear. We conduct a register-based cohort study of 6 839 703 live singleton births from Denmark (1973-2016) and Sweden (1973-2014) and follow them for up to 48 years. Using Cox regression models, we find that offspring of mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome have a higher risk of overall cardiovascular diseases and of its specific subtypes, independently of comorbidities related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Cousin analyzes suggest that familial confounding does not explain our results. If our findings are replicated by future studies, children of women with polycystic ovary syndrome may benefit from early cardiovascular prevention efforts. Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome may impact the offspring's long-term health. Here, the authors show that children of mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in childhood and young adulthood.</p>