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According to an analysis of NHS data carried out by a team at Cambridge University’s Autism Research Centre, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to have an autistic child. PCOS affects about one in ten women and is caused by elevated levels of the hormone testosterone. It is associated with fluid-filled sacs-follicles in the ovaries, and with symptoms such as delayed onset of puberty, irregular menstrual cycles, and excess bodily hair.
Autism is a condition characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication alongside unusually narrow interests, a strong preference for predictability, and difficulties adjusting to unexpected change. Some autistic people also have learning difficulties and delayed language, and many have sensory hyper-sensitivity.
The research team previously published work in 2015 which showed that before they are born, Autistic children have elevated levels of ‘sex steroid’ hormones-including testosterone which ‘masculinise’ the baby’s body and brain before birth. Prenatal sex steroid hormones are involved in the development of autism is why autism is diagnosed more in boys than girls.
Elevated sex steroid hormones may come from the mother if she had higher levels of testosterone than usual, the hormone might cross the placenta during pregnancy, exposing unborn baby to the hormone and changes the fetus brain development. Researchers used data from a large database of GP health records, the study looked at 8,588 women with PCOS and their first-born children, compared to a group of 41,127 women without PCOS.
The team found that, even after taking into account other factors like maternal mental health problems or complications during pregnancy, women with PCOS had a 2.3% chance of having an autistic child, compared with the 1.7% chance for mothers without PCOS. Researchers also conducted two other studies using the same data and found that autistic women were more likely to have PCOS, and women with PCOS were more likely to have autism.
The hormonal effects are not independent of genetic factors, mother or fetus may have higher levels of the hormone for genetic reasons, and testosterone can affect how genes function. Autism can have a significant impact on wellbeing, many autistic children have significant health, social care and educational special needs.