Page 27 - ASPIRE AUGUST 2022 Vol 7 Issue 3

REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY SIG (includes PCOS)
Exposing the health
risks for children born to
mothers with polycystic
ovary syndrome
By Drs Madhuri Patil and Lan N Vuong
On behalf of ASPIRE, we would like invite members to join the SIG for Reproductive Endocrinology including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
The aim of our SIG is to develop educational activities, booklets, organise regional meetings, masterclasses and webinars with internationally renowned experts in the field.
The webinar entitled PCOS: A Diagnosis of Exclusion – What You See Is Not Always What You Get! was presented on 26 July 2022. It provided the most up-to- date information on the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome through lectures and interactive discussions, which included case studies.
The webinar speakers were Dr Clare Boothroyd from Australia, Professor Eileen Manalo from Philippines, Professor Jin Jun Kim from Korea, Dr Madonna Domingo from the Philippines and Dr Madhuri Patil from India. It was moderated by Professor Lan from Vietnam.
Webinar participants were from 30 countries with the vast majority rating it as excellent.
PCOS is one of the common endocrine disorders affecting between eight and 13 per cent of women of reproductive age, and almost 30 per cent women with sub-fertility.
A recent paper in Human Reproduction concluded that children born to mothers with PCOS have an increased risk of developing infections, allergies and other childhood illnesses before the age of 13.
Children of mothers with PCOS were 32 per cent more likely to be admitted to hospital with a variety of health problems than children of mothers without PCOS.
It is also known that children born to mothers with PCOS are at an increased risk of a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Therefore, it is of great importance to diagnose PCOS early in life to avoid its sequalae through a woman’s life span.
Another key focus in the field of reproductive endocrinology is the role of Kisspeptin Neurokinin B and Dynorphin in the control of GnRH secretion through the KNDy neurones.
Trials are underway on use of these neuropeptides for therapeutic applications.
Neurokinin B is a key mediator of hot flushes, and trials using several NK3R antagonists have shown remarkable efficacy in reducing this condition. Kisspeptin stimulates the release of LH and its use as a trigger is being investigated.
Trials for other uses of these neuropeptides are also on the horizon.
Meanwhile, we are planning for the ASPIRE pre- Congress workshop in Adelaide in September next year. It will include all recent updates in reproductive endocrinology and PCOS.
As the first face-to-face Congress since 2019 because of COVID disruptions, we are looking forward to full
participation. We welcome suggestions for the pre- Congress meeting, which can be sent to our email addresses drmadhuripatil59@gmail.com or lanvuong@ ump.edu.vn
As always, we value the exchange of ideas in our scientific endeavours and the promotion of research in countries that make up the ASPIRE region.
Lan N Vuong (Vietnam)
Madhuri Patil (India)
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