Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children; DNA methylation; early life adversity; epigenome-wide association study; maternal birth experience; mental health; Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Longitudinal Studies; Adult; Breast Feeding/statistics & numerical data; Breast Feeding/psychology; Infant, Newborn; Epigenesis, Genetic; Infant; Male; DNA Methylation; Mother-Child Relations/psychology; Parturition/psychology; Parturition/genetics; Mothers/psychology
Abstract :
[en] Childbirth influences maternal and new-born's future health, with the Epigenetic Impact of Childbirth (EPIIC) hypothesis proposing that labour stress affects foetal gene expression. This study explores how birth experiences relate to DNA methylation in infants, breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding. Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children was used, including 14,541 pregnant women. The ARIES subset of 1,022 mother-child pairs provided DNA methylation profiles. Maternal birth experience (MBE) was evaluated, with mother-infant bonding and breastfeeding. Statistical analysis involved linear regression and epigenome-wide association study. Half of the mothers reported at least one negative childbirth event, with 7% experiencing three or more adverse events. Negative MBE correlated with shorter breastfeeding duration and weaker mother-infant bonding. No significant CpG associations with MBE were found. While positive MBE is linked to improved mother-infant bonding and breastfeeding, no significant changes in DNA methylation profiles were observed in the offspring. Further research is needed to understand MBE's long-term impact on child health.
Disciplines :
Genetics & genetic processes
Author, co-author :
HOLUKA, CYRIELLE CATHERINE ✱; University of Luxembourg ; Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Melacca, Alessia ✱; Department of Biomedical Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
MENTA, Giorgia ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences > Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences > Team Conchita D AMBROSIO ; Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
D'AMBROSIO, Conchita ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) > Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences (DBCS) > Health and Behaviour
Morano, Sandra; Medical School and Midwifery School, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Štefulj, Jasminka; Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia ; University Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
Calleja-Agius, Jean; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
Bordoni, Laura ; Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
Gabbianelli, Rosita ✱; Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
TURNER, Jonathan ✱; University of Luxembourg ; Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
✱ These authors have contributed equally to this work.
External co-authors :
yes
Language :
English
Title :
Maternal birth experience and DNA methylation.
Publication date :
21 May 2025
Journal title :
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
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