Reduced uterine and ovarian size in adolescent girls born small for gestational age

Reduced fetal growth is known to be associated with a reduced ovarian fract ion of primordial follicles, with ovarian hyperandrogenism and anovulation in late adolescence. In this study, we examined whether adolescent girls ho rn small for gestational age also resent an abnormality in uterine or ovari an size. Standardized ultrasound measurements of the internal genitalia wer e performed in 36 thy post-menarcheal girls (mean age 14 y) born with a sir e that either appropriate fur gestational age (ACA) or small (SGA), birth w eight averaging 0.1 and -3.0 SD, respectively; clinical and endocrine chara cteristics were documented concomitantly. Compared with AGA girls, the SGA girls had a smaller uterus (mean difference of 20%; p < 0.006) and a reduce d ovarian volume (mean difference; of 38%; p < 0.0002). In conclusion, the gynecological correlates of prenatal growth restriction are herewith extend ed to include a reduced size of the uterus and the ovaries.