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Epigenetic age acceleration, neonatal morbidities, and neurobehavioral profiles in infants born very preterm

Uriel Paniagua1, Barry M Lester2,3,4, Carmen J Marsit1,5

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Epigenetics
|November 20, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Very preterm infants with neonatal morbidities, especially bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), show accelerated epigenetic aging. Lower gestational age at birth may be an underlying factor in these findings.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Epigenetics
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Epigenetic age acceleration is linked to chronic diseases and biological aging.
  • Preterm infants face higher risks for developmental issues.
  • Limited research exists on epigenetic aging in early neonatal periods for preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate epigenetic age acceleration in very preterm infants.
  • To determine associations between neonatal morbidities, neurobehavioral characteristics, and epigenetic aging.
  • To understand if early morbidities or neurobehavioral traits influence epigenetic aging trajectories.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Neonatal Neurobehavior and Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants (NOVI) study (n=519).
  • Employed generalized estimating equations to analyze age acceleration.
  • Examined relationships with severe neonatal morbidities and neurobehavioral assessments.

Main Results:

  • Infants with neonatal morbidities, particularly bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), exhibited accelerated epigenetic age.
  • Some evidence suggested links between hypertonicity and increased age acceleration, and asymmetric reflexes with decreased age acceleration.
  • Gestational age adjustment partially explained observed associations, indicating gestation duration's role.
  • The primary finding confirmed age acceleration in very preterm infants with neonatal morbidities (especially BPD).

Conclusions:

  • Very preterm infants experiencing neonatal morbidities, notably BPD, demonstrate epigenetic age acceleration.
  • Most neonatal neurobehavioral characteristics and morbidities were not significantly associated with early epigenetic aging.
  • Lower gestational age at birth appears to be a significant upstream factor influencing these epigenetic aging patterns.

Keywords:
Neonatal ageingepigenetic clockneonatal morbidityneurobehaviorpreterm infants

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