Pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a metaanalysis

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine which maternal and neonatal complications are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in pregnant women.

Study design: The studies that were included compared pregnancy outcomes between women with PCOS and those without diagnosed PCOS. Our primary outcomes included gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and preeclampsia. Secondary outcomes included cesarean delivery rates, operative vaginal delivery rates, preterm delivery, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants and large-for-gestational-age infants.

Results: We found that PCOS in pregnancy was associated with higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, cesarean delivery, operative vaginal delivery, SGA, and large-for-gestational age. Only gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and SGA infants were found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: This metaanalysis confirms the higher association of pregnancy complications and PCOS compared with patients who do not have PCOS. Additionally, there may be a stronger association between PCOS and hypertensive disorders than has been shown previously.