Fetal growth, length of gestation and polycystic ovaries in adult life

Cresswell JL, Barker DJP

1997

Sheffield, England

235 women aged 40-42 years born in Sheffield were examined. 49 (21%) of these women had polycystic ovaries. Two groups of women were defined. The first group comprised of these women who were androgenised with high concentrations of LH and testosterone. These women had above average birth weight and were born to overweight mothers. The second group comprised women of normal birthweight who had high plasma LH but normal testosterone concentrations. These women were born after 40 weeks gestation.

As in many studies relating an adult disease to birth weight, birth order has not been taken into consideration. Yet birth order is the best known single factor influencing birth weight. For example according to a British calculation the average difference in birth weight between first born and second born children is 138 grams. (see Odent M., Tsujino J., Studies exploring health in relation to intrauterine life should look at birth order, BMJ 1997; 314:1416)