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Epigenetic Clock at Birth and Childhood Blood Pressure Trajectory: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study

Jie Hu1,2, Anat Yaskolka Meir1, Xiumei Hong3

  • 1Department of Epidemiology (J.H., A.Y.M., F.B.H., L.L.), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA.

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|August 1, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Methylation gestational age acceleration at birth is linked to lower childhood blood pressure (BP) trajectories, with stronger effects observed in boys. This finding offers insights into the developmental origins of high BP and sex-based cardiovascular risks.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Pediatric Health
  • Cardiovascular Epidemiology

Background:

  • The relationship between methylation gestational age (GAmAge), a biomarker of fetal maturity, and childhood blood pressure (BP) trajectories remains uncharacterized.
  • Understanding this link is crucial for identifying early markers of cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of GAmAge acceleration at birth on the development of childhood BP trajectories.
  • To explore potential sex-specific differences in this association.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 940 children (500 boys, 440 girls) with cord blood DNA methylation and BP data from ages 3 to 15 years was analyzed.
  • Systolic and diastolic BP percentiles were tracked, and time-series clustering identified distinct BP trajectories.
  • Epigenetic age acceleration (intrinsic and extrinsic) was calculated using pediatric epigenetic clocks.

Main Results:

  • Both extrinsic and intrinsic age acceleration showed inverse associations with repeated BP measures.
  • Significant inverse associations between extrinsic age acceleration and systolic BP percentiles were found in boys but not girls.
  • In girls born preterm, both types of age acceleration were inversely associated with systolic BP percentiles. Significant sex differences in BP trajectory associations were observed.

Conclusions:

  • GAmAge acceleration at birth is inversely associated with childhood BP, with a more pronounced effect in boys.
  • These findings contribute to understanding the developmental origins of hypertension and sex disparities in cardiovascular risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
DNA methylationbiomarkersblood pressurefetal bloodsex characteristics

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