Early pregnancy DNA methylation in stress–related genes and birth outcomes in mothers with mental health diagnoses

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Date

2021-05

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The Ohio State University

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Abstract

Background. Maternal mental health influences the intrauterine environment, triggering epigenetic changes at a critical time of embryonic and fetal development through DNA methylation (DNAm) in cytosine-guanine (CpG) sites that alter gene expression. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine birth timing/birth weight and differences in DNAm in stress-related genes (NR3C1, HSD11B2, and FKBP5) in first trimester maternal blood from pregnant mothers with/without mental health diagnoses. Methods. A prospective convenience sample of nulliparous women (n=47) were recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy. Genome-wide DNA methylation was quantified in peripheral white blood cells. Maternal history of depression and/or anxiety and birth outcomes were determined by medical record abstraction. Linear regression models examined associations among mental health diagnoses, DNAm at individual NR3C1, HSD11B2, and FKBP5-associated CpG sites, birth timing, and birth weight, controlling for early pregnancy weight and infant sex. Results. A mental health diagnosis was associated with DNAm in CpGs associated with NR3C1 (ten CpGs), HSD11B2 (three CpGs), and FKBP5 (eight CpGs) (p<0.05). After adjustment for multiple comparisons, the association between anxiety and DNAm at NR3C1-associated Cg12466613remained significant (p<0.001). Mental health diagnoses were not associated with birth timing/birth weight. DNAm at four NR3C1-associated CpGs was significantly associated with birth weight (p<0.038). Conclusions. DNAm is altered in early pregnancy among women with mental health diagnoses, supporting epigenetic influences during development and association with birth outcomes. Promoting women's mental health prior to pregnancy has potential to foster the well-being and long-term health of the mother-infant dyad.

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MNRS Student Poster Presentation, First Place
Denman Undergraduate Research Festival, Third Place in Category
ISONG Student Poster Presenter

Keywords

Epigenetics, Pregnancy, Depression, Anxiety

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