Breastfeeding in polycystic ovary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the breastfeeding rate in new mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Case-control study. Thirty-six women with PCOS and 99 controls matched for age, gestational length and parity, answered a questionnaire. Breastfeeding at one-, three- and six-months postpartum was registered and the two groups were compared. In the women with PCOS, androgen levels through pregnancy were analysed and related to breastfeeding rate.


RESULTS
At one-month postpartum, 27 (75%) of the women with PCOS were breastfeeding exclusively, whereas five (14%) did not breastfeed at all. Among controls, 88 (89%) were breastfeeding exclusively and two (2%) did not breastfeed (p=0.001). At three- and six-months postpartum, breastfeeding was equal in the two groups. Problems with sore nipples and seeking professional lactation support were also equal. Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate levels at gestational week 32 and 36 showed a weak negative association with breastfeeding in PCOS women. Breastfeeding rate was not associated with maternal gestational levels of androstenedione, testosterone, sex-hormone binding globulin, or free testosterone index in PCOS.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with PCOS appear to have a reduced breastfeeding rate in the early postpartum period. Possibly, gestational dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate might negatively influence breastfeeding rate in women with the syndrome.
Vanky
Eszter
E
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. eszter.vanky@ntnu.no
Isaksen
Hege
H
Moen
Mette Haase
MH
Carlsen
Sven M
SM
D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D001942:Breast Feeding; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate