Childhood internalising symptoms at ages 3 and 6: a meta-analysis of epigenome-wide associations from cord and peripheral blood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pre- and postpartum environments and genetic effects influence childhood internalising problems, which increase depression risk. DNA methylation (DNAm) may capture some of these effects. We therefore investigated associations between child blood DNAm and internalising problems.

Methods

We meta-analysed probe and region-level epigenome-wide association studies using data from 3 European birth cohorts (ALSPAC, MoBa, Generation R; analytic N = 1,121-3,011) from the Pregnancy And Childhood Epigenetics (PACE) Consortium. DNAm was assessed at birth (cord blood) and age 6 years (peripheral blood). Internalising problems (ages 3 and 6) were reported by mothers using the Child Behaviour Checklist or Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Models were adjusted for age at

SUBMITTER: Schellhas L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC13647090 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature