Exploring Perinatal Biopsychosocial Factors and Epigenetic Age in 1-Year-Old Offspring

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the determinants of epigenetic aging in pediatric populations. Methods: Epigenetic age was estimated from 258 1-year-olds, using pediatric buccal epigenetic and Horvath clocks. We explored associations between epigenetic age and maternal indicators of mental and relational health, substance use and general physical health assessed during trimester three. Results: Higher anxiety and stress, BMI and higher parent–parent relationship quality were associated with pediatric buccal epigenetic clock differences. High blood pressure during pregnancy was associated with Horvath age acceleration. Third-trimester smoking and pre-pregnancy weight were associated with acceleration and deceleration respectively, and concordant across clocks. Conclusion: A broad range of maternal factors may shape epigenetic age in infancy; further research is needed to explore the possible effects on health and development.

Plain language summary

Molecules on our DNA, called DNA methylation, can be used in a laboratory test to estimate how old we are – also known as epigenetic age. In adults, a higher risk of age-related disease has been attributed to older epigenetic age. However, we know very little about epigenetic age in children. In this study, we look at the how measures of a mother’s health during pregnancy – such as using alcohol or tobacco, mental health (stress, anxiety and depression), or general health such as weight or high blood pressure – affect epigenetic age in children.

Keywords::

• aging
• DNA methylation
• epigenetic clock
• Horvath
• mental health
• PedBE
• pediatrics
• perinatal
• substance use

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.tandfonline.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/epi-2023-0284

Author contributions

P Fransquet, C Greenwood and C Olsson contributed to the concept of this work. P Fransquet oversaw bioinformatics, epigenetic age generation and primary authorship of the article. C Greenwood oversaw statistical analysis. P Fransquet, C Greenwood and C Olsson interpreted the data for discussion. P Fransquet, J Macdonald, J Ryan, C Greenwood and C Olsson all contributed to drafting and revising the manuscript.

Acknowledgments

The Australian Temperament Project (ATP) and Generation 3 (ATPG3) studies are located at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and are a collaboration between Deakin University, The University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, The Australian Institute of Family Studies, The University of New South Wales, The University of Otago (New Zealand) and the Royal Children’s Hospital; further information is available at https://www.melbournechildrens.com/atp/. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and may not reflect those of their organizational affiliations, nor of other collaborating individuals or organizations. The authors acknowledge all collaborators who have contributed to the ATP, especially A Sanson, M Prior, F Oberklaid and D Smart. They are grateful to all study research team members involved in data collection and management. They would also like to sincerely thank the participating families for their time and invaluable contribution to the study.

Financial disclosure

Funding for this work was supported by grants from the Australian Research Council (DP130101459; DP160103160; DP180102447), the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (APP1082406; APP1175086) and Financial Markets Foundation for Children. Data collection for the ATP study was supported primarily through Australian grants from the Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Research Council and the Australian Institute of Family Studies. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

This study involves human participants, and the main ATP study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) from 1983 to 1993; La Trobe University HREC from 1994 to 1995; RCH HREC from 1996 to 1997; University of Melbourne HREC from 1998 to 2000; and the Australian Institute of Family Studies Ethics Committee from 2000. ATPG3 protocols have been approved by RCH HREC and have been ratified by Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. Parents of the ATP G3 sample have given written informed consent.

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.

Data sharing statement

Inquires about collaboration are possible through our institutional data access protocol: https://lifecourse.melbournechildrens.com/data-access/. Data from this study are available upon reasonable request.