Prevalence and Metabolic Characterization of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Cohort of Patients Diagnosed with Spina Bifida: Study Protocol

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female pediatric patients diagnosed with spina bifida, specifically myelomeningocele. It seeks to explore the potential link between these two conditions, focusing on shared pathophysiological factors such as hyperhomocysteinemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. The study will also assess differences in auxological and metabolic parameters between patients with and without PCOS and characterize the metabolic profiles and phenotypic forms of PCOS. It is designed as a prospective, cross-sectional, observational, and monocentric study, with a recruitment period of 12 months and an overall duration of 24 months, potentially extendable.