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Early Life Stress, DNA Methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2 , and Oral Feeding Skill Development in Preterm Infants : A

Thao Griffith1, Dina Tell, Stefan J Green

  • 1Author Affiliations: Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois (Drs Griffith, and Tell, Mrs Ford, and Dr Janusek); Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Green); Division of Neonatology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois (Mr Bohan, Mrs Grunwaldt, and Dr Amin); Nursing Research, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Dr White-Traut); and Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr White-Traut).

Advances in Neonatal Care : Official Journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses
|December 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Early life stress in preterm infants is linked to altered DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, negatively impacting oral feeding skills. This pilot study highlights potential epigenetic mechanisms affecting infant neurobehavioral development.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Development
  • Epigenetics
  • Neurobehavioral Science

Background:

  • Early life stress in preterm infants may alter DNA methylation patterns.
  • Specific genes like NR3C1 and HSD11B2 are implicated in neurobehavioral development.
  • Disrupted neurobehavioral development can hinder oral feeding (PO) skill acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the feasibility of a study protocol examining early life stress, DNA methylation, and PO skills.
  • To describe the relationship between early life stress, DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, and PO skill development.
  • To explore associations between DNA methylation and infant characteristics, stress levels, and feeding outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal descriptive pilot study involving 10 infants.
  • Assessment of early life stress using the modified Neonatal Infant Stressor Scale.
  • Analysis of NR3C1 and HSD11B2 DNA methylation from infant buccal samples.
  • Evaluation of PO skill development using the Early Feeding Skills Assessment.

Main Results:

  • Higher acute and chronic stress correlated with increased DNA methylation at specific CpG sites in NR3C1 and HSD11B2.
  • Elevated DNA methylation at these sites was associated with less optimal PO skill development.
  • Infants with higher methylation showed a longer transition period to full oral feeding.

Conclusions:

  • Early life stress, DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, and PO skill development are interconnected in preterm infants.
  • Findings suggest potential epigenetic pathways linking early stress to infant feeding outcomes.
  • Further multiomics research is needed to elucidate these complex relationships.
Abstract

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