Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome is linked to a higher risk of autism in children.

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

6 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that maternal polycystic ovary syndrome is linked to a higher risk of autism in children?

Yes. Multiple independent meta-analyses and a nationwide Swedish cohort report that children of mothers with PCOS have a modestly higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (odds ratios roughly 1.4–1.6). A clinician summary and an encyclopedia entry repeat the association in weaker form.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 6 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Evidence for · 6

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and neuropsychiatric disorders in children.

2021

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P, D., B, T., S, R., J, C., S, S., A, F., S, R., D, C., & AK, D. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and neuropsychiatric disorders in children.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01699-8

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More for · 5

Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and the risk of autism spectrum disorders in the offspring: a population-based nationwide study in Sweden -

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Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and the risk of autism spectrum disorders in the offspring: a population-based nationwide study in Sweden - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2015.183

Neuropsychiatric disorders in children of mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

2026

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Q, C., S, D., Z, L., X, L., J, Z., Z, Y., L, Q., C, Q., H, Z., & W, H. (2026). Neuropsychiatric disorders in children of mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-026-08047-4

Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and the potential risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in the offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

2022

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A, A., AS, B., J, R., RA, A., O, A., S, B., WH, A., M, K., MS, A., K, K., H, S., & I, A. A. (2022). Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and the potential risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in the offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2022.2040983

Children of Mothers with PCOS Have Increased Risk for Autism | NEJM Clinician

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Children of Mothers with PCOS Have Increased Risk for Autism | NEJM Clinician. (n.d.). clinician.nejm.org. https://clinician.nejm.org/children-mothers-pcos-increased-risk-autism-nejm-jw.NA47265

Causes of autism

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Causes of autism. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_autism

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