Real-time high-resolution ultrasonography of the pelvic organs was performed in 140 healthy females aged 2-18 years. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of polycystic ovaries during normal pubertal development. The volume of the ovaries was calculated and ovarian structure was classified as homogeneous, microcystic, multycystic, polycystic and follicular. The volume of the ovaries increased and the ovarian structure varied according to sexual development. The ovaries exhibited a polycystic appearance in 8% of the cases (two prepubertal and nine postpubertal girls). The volume of the ovaries was normal in 8/11 patients with polycystic ovaries. We consider that the using of the volume of the ovaries as a diagnostic criterion for polycystic ovaries is difficult to interpret and we emphasize the importance of the evaluation of the ovarian stroma with ultrasound. An attractive hypothesis that needs confirmation by longitudinal studies is wether girls with ultrasound diagnosed polycystic ovaries are at risk of developing polycystic ovarian syndrome in adulthood.

Keywords: Polycystic ovaries. Ultrasound. Healthy girls.