Are Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome at an Increased Risk of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and/or Preeclampsia?

Objective: To study whether there is an increased risk of glucose intolerance and hypertensive complications during pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and if there is an adverse pregnancy outcome.Methods: In a retrospective case-control study, pregnancies and neonatal outcome were compared in 33 women with PCOS and 66 women without PCOS. The women were treated at Huddinge University Hospital; antenatal care was given at associated outpatient units.Main Outcome Measures: Blood glucose and blood pressure during the different trimesters. Pregnancy outcome in terms of gestational length, birth weight, and need for neonatal intensive care.Results: No significant differences were found in blood glucose levels between the groups. There were also no differences in blood pressure during the first and second trimester. However, during the third trimester and labor, the PCOS group had a significantly higher blood pressure than the control group. Apart from a tendency toward reduced growth of tw...