Identification of DNA methylation changes in newborns related to maternal smoking during pregnancy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with significant infant morbidity and mortality, and may influence later disease risk. One mechanism by which smoking (and other environmental factors) might have long-lasting effects is through epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation.

Objectives

We conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) investigating alterations in DNA methylation in infants exposed in utero to maternal tobacco smoke, using the Norway Facial Clefts Study.

Methods

The Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip was used to assess DNA methylation in whole blood from 889 infants shortly after delivery. Of 889 mothers, 287 reported smoking-twice as many smokers as in any previous EWAS of maternal smoking. CpG sites related to mat

SUBMITTER: Markunas CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4181928 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature