Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a major health concern that affects up to 10% of reproductive-aged women. This complex, heterogeneous condition is often characterized by a triad of ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, and cardiometabolic dysfunction. Despite extensive physiologic and genetic studies, the treatment of PCOS remains limited by an incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder. Identification of the genetic variants and pathways associated with PCOS susceptibility may provide insights into the pathogenesis of the condition and potential targeted treatments.

We propose to study phenotypes in children that may be associated with PCOS, including obesity, dyslipidemia, and premature adrenarche. Premature adrenarche is a pediatric condition characterized by early production of adrenal androgens such as DHEAS and androstenedione and has been proposed to be a precursor to PCOS in girls. We will calculate a polygenic risk score for PCOS in prepubertal children and test for associations with premature adrenarche and associated cardiometabolic and hyperandrogenic outcomes and biochemical and anthropometric traits. In addition, we will examine these outcomes during the pre-pubertal period in girls who later develop a diagnosis of PCOS in adolescence and young adulthood.

The extension of PCOS genetics to prepubertal children provides the unique opportunity to 1) classify the PCOS pathways into ovarian-dependent factors and nonovarian-dependent factors and 2) characterize the pediatric phenotypes associated with PCOS genetic risk factors, and 3) understand the pre-pubertal manifestations of a future PCOS diagnosis. Overall, investigations in prepubertal children have the potential to provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of pathogenesis and targets for treatment for PCOS.