Measured maternal prepregnancy anthropometry and newborn DNA methylation

Epigenomics. 2019 Feb;11(2):187-198. doi: 10.2217/epi-2018-0099. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Abstract

Aim: We examined maternal prepregnancy anthropometry and cord blood DNA methylation.

Methods: Associations between maternal measures (i.e., weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, skinfolds, leptin) and methylation β-values at each CpG (measured by the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip) were estimated among 391 singletons.

Results: Total of 18% of mothers were obese (body mass index ≥ 30) and 27% centrally obese (waist-to-hip ratio ≥ 0.85). One Bonferroni significant CpG with respect to obesity (cg02975187) and two with central obesity (cg12053563, cg12549355) were identified (p < 6 × 10-8). A suggestive association (p < 10-6) was observed at SFRS8 with increasing body mass index. SFRS8 was previously identified with propensity for weight gain in adults.

Conclusion: While associations identified with multiple measures related to maternal adiposity suggest different pathways, methylation differences were small in magnitude.

Keywords: DNA methylation; maternal obesity; newborn; pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids / genetics
  • DNA Methylation*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn / blood
  • Male
  • Obesity / genetics*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids