Epigenetic signature of exposure to maternal Trypanosoma cruzi infection in cord blood cells from uninfected newborns.

Aims: To assess the epigenetic effects of in utero exposure to maternal Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Methods: We performed an epigenome-wide association study to compare the DNA methylation patterns of umbilical cord blood cells from uninfected babies from chagasic and uninfected mothers. DNA methylation was measured using Infinium EPIC arrays. Results: We identified a differential DNA methylation signature of fetal exposure to maternal T. cruzi infection, in the absence of parasite transmission, with 12 differentially methylated sites in B cells and CD4+ T cells, including eight protein-coding genes. Conclusion: These genes participate in hematopoietic cell differentiation and the immune response and may be involved in immune disorders. They also have been associated with several developmental disorders and syndromes.

Maternal infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, may influence fetal development, even in the absence of parasite transmission. Thus we investigated how exposure to maternal infection might lead to changes in gene expression in the infant, by examining changes in DNA methylation in the umbilical cord blood. We found that exposure to maternal infection alters DNA methylation of at least 12 sites, including eight genes. Expression of these genes may be altered, which may affect blood cell function, the immune response and newborn development later in life. Further studies should monitor newborns from infected mothers to better assess their health and possible longer term effects.

Preconception Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Birth Outcomes in Adolescent Girls.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Recommendations for preconception care usually include optimal nutrition and physical activity, but these have not been tested extensively for their relationship with birth outcomes such as low birth weight and preterm birth. DESIGN: Data from Waves I, II, and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) contractual dataset were used. METHODS: In Wave I in-home interview, participants were asked to recall their frequency of having 5 types of food on the previous day, including milk, fruit, vegetables, grains, and sweets. At Wave II, participants reported the previous day's intake of 55 items, and results were categorized into high-calorie sweet, high-calorie nonsweet, and low-calorie food. At Wave I in-home interview, participants were also asked how many times in a week or during the past week they were involved in types of physical activity. At Wave IV, female participants reported pregnancies and birth outcomes. Multivariable linear regression analysis with survey weighting was used to predict birth weight and gestational age. RESULTS: There were no associations between reported food intake and birth outcomes. Girls who engaged in more episodes of active behavior had higher birth weights (P < .01), but hours of sedentary behavior was not associated with birth weight. Multivariable analysis also indicated a U-shaped association between BMI and birth weight (P for quadratic term = .01). CONCLUSION: Adolescents who are more physically active before pregnancy have more positive birth outcomes as represented by birth weight.

Academic performance, educational aspiration and birth outcomes among adolescent mothers: a national longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal educational attainment has been associated with birth outcomes among adult mothers. However, limited research explores whether academic performance and educational aspiration influence birth outcomes among adolescent mothers. METHODS: Data from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) were used. Adolescent girls whose first pregnancy occurred after Wave I, during their adolescence, and ended with a singleton live birth were included. Adolescents' grade point average (GPA), experience of ever skipping a grade and ever repeating a grade, and their aspiration to attend college were examined as predictors of birth outcomes (birthweight and gestational age; n = 763). Univariate statistics, bivariate analyses and multivariable models were run stratified on race using survey procedures. RESULTS: Among Black adolescents, those who ever skipped a grade had higher offspring's birthweight. Among non-Black adolescents, ever skipping a grade and higher educational aspiration were associated with higher offspring's birthweight; ever skipping a grade was also associated with higher gestational age. GPA was not statistically significantly associated with either birth outcome. The addition of smoking during pregnancy and prenatal care visit into the multivariable models did not change these associations. CONCLUSIONS: Some indicators of higher academic performance and aspiration are associated with better birth outcomes among adolescents. Investing in improving educational opportunities may improve birth outcomes among teenage mothers.

Neighborhood disadvantage, racial concentration and the birthweight of infants born to adolescent mothers.

To study the relationship between neighborhood demographic characteristics (disadvantage, racial concentration) and the birthweight of infants born to adolescent mothers, potentially as mediated by smoking, prenatal care use, or perceptions of neighborhood safety. Data from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health were analyzed. Birthweight (continuous) and low birthweight (<2.5 kg) of singleton infants born to non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White adolescent mothers (<20 years) after Wave I were examined as outcomes. Neighborhood demographic characteristics included Census Block Group socioeconomic disadvantage and Black racial concentration. Possible mediators (smoking during pregnancy, early initiation of prenatal care, and perceptions of safety) were also examined. Controls for adolescent baseline age, age at pregnancy, body mass index (BMI) and parental education were included. Analyses were run stratified on race. Baseline continuous birthweight, BMI and neighborhood demographics varied significantly between non-Hispanic Black and White adolescent mothers, with Black adolescent mothers evidencing lower birthweight and higher BMI, neighborhood disadvantage and Black racial concentration. In multivariable analyses among Black adolescent mothers, Black racial concentration was positively associated with birthweight, and negatively associated with low birthweight; no mediators were supported. Neighborhood disadvantage and Black racial concentration were unassociated with birthweight outcomes among White adolescent mothers. Infants born to Black adolescent mothers evidenced higher birthweight with increasing Black neighborhood concentration. Further exploration of mechanisms by which Black racial concentration may positively impact birthweight is warranted.