Maternal psychosocial risk factors and child gestational epigenetic age in a South African birth cohort study.

ABSTRACT: Accelerated epigenetic aging relative to chronological age has been found to be associated with higher risk of mortality in adults. However, little is known about whether and how in utero exposures might shape child gestational epigenetic age (EA) at birth. We aimed to explore associations between maternal psychosocial risk factors and deviation in child gestational EA at birth (i.e., greater or lower EA relative to chronological age) in a South African birth cohort study-the Drakenstein Child Health Study. Maternal psychosocial risk factors included trauma/stressor exposure; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); depression; psychological distress; and alcohol/tobacco use. Child gestational EA at birth was calculated using an epigenetic clock previously devised for neonates; and gestationa

SUBMITTER: Koen N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8253754 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature