Prenatal maternal stress is associated with site-specific and age acceleration changes in maternal and newborn DNA methylation.

ABSTRACT: Prenatal maternal stress has a negative impact on child health but the mechanisms through which maternal stress affects child health are unclear. Epigenetic variation, such as DNA methylation, is a likely mechanistic candidate as DNA methylation is sensitive to environmental insults and can regulate long-term changes in gene expression. We recruited 155 mother-newborn dyads in the Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate the effects of maternal stress on DNA methylation in mothers and newborns. We used four measures of maternal stress to capture a range of stressful experiences: general trauma, sexual trauma, war trauma, and chronic stress. We identified differentially methylated positions (DMPs) associated with general trauma, sexual trauma, and war trauma in both mothers and newborns.

SUBMITTER: Quinn EB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10259347 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature