Birthweight and DNA Methylation in Newborns
Author Information
Author(s): Michels Karin B., Harris Holly R., Barault Ludovic
Primary Institution: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Hypothesis
How do fetal and maternal weight trajectories affect LINE-1 methylation in newborns?
Conclusion
The study found significant differences in LINE-1 methylation levels in cord blood among newborns with low and high birthweight as well as among prematurely born infants.
Supporting Evidence
- Newborns with low or high birthweight had significantly lower LINE-1 methylation levels in their cord blood compared to normal weight infants.
- Infants born prematurely also had lower LINE-1 methylation levels in cord blood compared to term infants.
- The magnitude of the difference in methylation levels was small but statistically significant.
Takeaway
Babies who are born too small or too big have different levels of a special chemical in their blood that can affect their health later on.
Methodology
The study analyzed cord blood and placenta samples from 319 mother-child dyads to assess the relationship between birthweight and LINE-1 methylation.
Limitations
The study did not find important associations between maternal weight trajectories and global methylation in cord blood or placental tissue.
Participant Demographics
The study included 319 mother-child dyads with a median maternal age of 32 years and various ethnic backgrounds.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.004 for preterm birth and p=0.007 for low birthweight
Confidence Interval
95% CI for difference in methylation ranged from -1.42 to -0.23 for low birthweight
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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