Associations between lifetime history of depression, prenatal OXTR DNA methylation and breastfeeding outcomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Women with depression are less likely to breastfeed and experience more breastfeeding challenges. Potential biological mechanisms that link maternal depression with poor breastfeeding outcomes have not been investigated. This study examined associations between lifetime history of depression (LHD), prenatal oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) DNA methylation, and breastfeeding outcomes.

Results

Longitudinal observational data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) were analysed (N = 3607). LHD was self-reported during pregnancy (week 15). Blood samples were collected at 16-18 weeks of pregnancy, and DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina Methylation EPIC BeadChip 850 K array. This array includes 22 CpG sites on the OXTR gene, which were

SUBMITTER: Braithwaite EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12817678 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature