Epigenome-wide meta-analysis of blood DNA methylation in newborns and children identifies numerous loci related to gestational age.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Preterm birth and shorter duration of pregnancy are associated with increased morbidity in neonatal and later life. As the epigenome is known to have an important role during fetal development, we investigated associations between gestational age and blood DNA methylation in children. METHODS:We performed meta-analysis of Illumina's HumanMethylation450-array associations between gestational age and cord blood DNA methylation in 3648 newborns from 17 cohorts without common pregnancy complications, induced delivery or caesarean section. We also explored associations of gestational age with DNA methylation measured at 4-18?years in additional pediatric cohorts. Follow-up analyses of DNA methylation and gene expression correlations were performed in cord blood. DNA methylation profiles were also explored in tissues relevant for gestational age health effects: fetal brain and lung. RESULTS:We identified 8899 CpGs in cord blood that were associated with gestational age (range 27-42?weeks), at Bonferroni significance, P?

SUBMITTER: Merid SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7050134 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature