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Updated: May 26, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Placenta-imprinted gene expression association of infant neurobehavior
Carmen J Marsit1, Luca Lambertini, Matthew A Maccani
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA. Carmen.J.Marsit@dartmouth.edu
Objective:
To identify links between altered gene imprinting in the placenta and infant neurobehavioral profiles.
Study Design:
Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the expression of 22 imprinted candidate genes in a series of 106 term human primary placenta tissues. The expression pattern uncovered was associated with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scales summary scores in the corresponding infants. Clustering of the expression data was used to define distinct classes of expression.
Results:
Significant associations were identified between classes of expression and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scales quality of movement (P = .02) and handling (P = .006) scores. Multivariate regression demonstrated an independent effect of imprinted gene expression profile on these neurobehavioral scores after controlling for confounders.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that alterations in imprinted gene expression in the placenta are associated with infant neurodevelopmental outcomes, and suggest a role for the placenta and genomic imprinting in the placenta beyond intrauterine growth regulation.
