Can social support during pregnancy affect maternal DNA methylation? Findings from a cohort of African-Americans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While stress and the absence of social support during pregnancy have been linked to poor health outcomes, the underlying biological mechanisms are unclear.

Methods

We examined whether adverse experiences during pregnancy alter DNA methylation (DNAm) in maternal epigenomes. Analyses included 250 African-American mothers from the Boston Birth Cohort. Genome-wide DNAm profiling was performed in maternal blood collected after delivery, using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 Beadchip. Linear regression models, with adjustment of pertinent covariates, were applied.

Results

While self-reported maternal psychosocial lifetime stress and stress during pregnancy was not associated with DNAm alterations, we found that absence of support from the baby's father was signi

SUBMITTER: Surkan PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6982603 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature