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Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
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Maternal antenatal depression and offspring DNA methylation.
Diane L Putnick1, Akhgar Ghassabian2, Weihua Guan3
1Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6710B Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817, United States of America.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|February 8, 2026
Summary
Maternal antenatal depression is linked to offspring DNA hypomethylation in middle childhood, particularly at cg06112204 in the MAD1L1 gene. This finding offers insights into the long-term epigenetic effects of prenatal depression.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Developmental Psychology
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Limited research exists on the connection between antenatal depression and offspring DNA methylation.
- Existing studies show inconsistent findings regarding this association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rigorously investigate the association between maternal antenatal depression and offspring DNA methylation.
- To examine these epigenetic alterations in both neonatal and middle childhood periods (8-10 years).
Main Methods:
- Maternal antenatal depression was identified using diagnosis codes and self-reported symptoms.
- Offspring DNA methylation was measured from dried blood spots (neonatal) and venous blood (middle childhood).
Main Results:
- No significant DNA methylation changes were found in the neonatal period after FDR correction.
- In middle childhood, antenatal depression was associated with hypomethylation at two CpG sites: cg06112204 (MAD1L1) and cg17830140 (POLRMT).
- These associations remained significant even after controlling for postnatal depression.
Conclusions:
- The hypomethylation of cg06112204 in offspring is credibly linked to maternal antenatal depression.
- Prior research supports the association between MAD1L1 gene methylation and depression phenotypes in older age groups.
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