Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to have a child with autism, a new study shows.
Researchers say the findings support the theory that prenatal sex steroid hormones such as testosterone can cause autism, as well as genes.
Adriana Cherskov says the findings from the Autism Research Centre confirm the idea that sex steroid hormones cause autism
Using anonymous data from health records, the Cambridge University study looked at 8,588 women with PCOS and their first-born children. They compared this group to 41,127 women without PCOS.
Chance of having a child with autism
The Cambridge Autism Research Centre found women with PCOS had a 2.3 per cent chance of having a child with autism. In comparison, the rate was 1.7 per cent for mothers without PCOS.
Elevated levels of the hormone testosterone cause PCOS, which affects about one in ten women.
It is associated with fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries. Symptoms include delayed puberty, irregular periods and excess body hair.
‘Important piece of evidence‘
Adriana Cherskov, a Master’s student, analysed the data. She said the research was “an important piece of new evidence” for the theory that “prenatal sex steroid hormones” can cause autism.
The team stressed the likelihood of having an autistic child is still very low, even in PCOS.
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Research Centre, supervised the work.
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen says there is no need for women with polycystic ovary syndrome to undergo genetic counselling
‘No need for counselling’
He said there is no need for women with PCOS to have genetic counselling over the increased risk. That was because more than nine in ten of them “will not have an autistic child”.
The team also found autistic women were more likely to have PCOS. In addition, women with PCOS were more likely to have autism themselves.
This strongly suggests the conditions are linked, say the researchers.
Treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome
Treatment options for PCOS include the pill and progestogen tablets.
The researchers published their study in Translational Psychiatry.
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Published: 23 August 2018
