Prenatal social support in low-risk pregnancy shapes placental epigenome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Poor social support during pregnancy has been linked to inflammation and adverse pregnancy and childhood health outcomes. Placental epigenetic alterations may underlie these links but are still unknown in humans.

Methods

In a cohort of low-risk pregnant women (n = 301) from diverse ethnic backgrounds, social support was measured using the ENRICHD Social Support Inventory (ESSI) during the first trimester. Placental samples collected at delivery were analyzed for DNA methylation and gene expression using Illumina 450K Beadchip Array and RNA-seq, respectively. We examined association between maternal prenatal social support and DNA methylation in placenta. Associated cytosine-(phosphate)-guanine sites (CpGs) were further assessed for correlation with nearby gene exp

SUBMITTER: Tesfaye M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9827682 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature