Maternal Preeclampsia and Androgens in the Offspring around Puberty: A Follow-Up Study

Abstract

BackgroundChildren born after preeclampsia may have a dominant androgen profile in puberty compared with other children. Circulating androgen concentrations at 11–12 years of age were compared between offspring born after preeclampsia, and children whose mothers did not have preeclampsia.MethodsA total of 611 mother-offspring pairs were followed up 11 (daughters) or 12 (sons) years after birth: 218 pairs in the preeclampsia group, and 383 pairs without preeclampsia. Circulating total testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were measured in the children. In boys, testicular volume was also measured.ResultsAmong girls born after preeclampsia, DHEAS concentrations were higher than in unexposed girls (p<0.001), however, girls born after preeclampsia with severe features had the lowest DHEAS levels. In contrast, testosterone concentrations were highest in girls born after preeclampsia with severe features, both compared to other girls in the preeclampsia group, and compared to unexposed girls (p<0.001). For boys, testosterone concentrations were higher in the preeclampsia group compared with unexposed boys (p<0.001), and boys born after preeclampsia with severe features had the lowest concentrations of DHEAS. Compared with unexposed boys, testicular volume (p = 0.015) and IGF-I (p = 0.004) were higher for boys in the preeclampsia group, except for boys in the clinically severe preeclampsia group.ConclusionsIn utero exposure to preeclampsia is associated with androgen hormonal patterns in early puberty that depend on clinical severity of preeclampsia and sex of the offspring. The hormonal differences may reflect different timing of pubertal development, and may have consequences for future health of the offspring.

Association between factors related to the pregnancy, neonatal period, and later complications (especially asthma) and menarcheal age in a sample of Lebanese girls

“…Our results showed that preeclampsia in mothers during pregnancy was significantly associated with a younger age at menarche in their daughters. This is in disagreement with the studies showing that this association was not significant after adjustment over confounding factors [ 22 , 23 , 57 , 60 ]. As already mentioned, hypertension constitutes a major cause of intrauterine growth restriction and may result in a deficient metabolic state at birth, which may then lead to a lower age at menarche [ 25 ].…”

Exposure to preeclampsia in utero affects growth from birth to late childhood dependent on child’s sex and severity of exposure: Follow-up of a nested case-control study

“…The questionnaires used have been shown as supporting information in a recent publication by Alsnes et al [ 20 ].…”

Androgens in maternal vascular and placental function: implications for preeclampsia pathogenesis

“…Such pregnant women bearing male fetuses are at increased risk for developing preeclampsia and placental dysfunction ( Stark et al 2006 , Murji et al 2012 , Sykes et al 2014 , Li et al 2018 ). Furthermore, daughters experiencing a preeclamptic gestation demonstrate higher circulating testosterone levels when they reach puberty ( Alsnes et al 2016 ). Such female offspring are at increased risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular disease as adults ( King et al 2007 , Sathishkumar et al 2011 c , Chinnathambi et al 2012 , 2013 b , Vyas et al 2016 ), and possibly preeclampsia and other pregnancy-related complications.…”