Language
English
Publication Date
3-1-2025
Journal
Pediatric Research
DOI
10.1038/s41390-024-03585-7
PMID
39289593
PMCID
PMC13033247
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
3-30-2026
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Abstract
Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression, without a change in the DNA sequence that are potentially heritable. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) changes have been studied in various childhood disorders. Causal links to maternal health and toxin exposures can introduce epigenetic modifications to the fetal DNA, which can be detected in the cord blood. Cord blood epigenetic modifications provide evidence of in-utero stressors and immediate postnatal changes, which can impact both short and long-term outcomes in children. The mechanisms of these epigenetic changes can be leveraged for prevention, early detection, and intervention, and to discover novel therapeutic modalities in childhood diseases. We report a scoping review of early life epigenetics, the influence of maternal health, maternal toxin, and drug exposures on the fetus, and its impact on perinatal, neonatal, and childhood outcomes. IMPACT STATEMENT: Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA have been implicated in the pathophysiology of various disease processes. The fundamental changes to an offspring's epigenome can begin in utero, impacting the immediate postnatal period, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. This scoping review summarizes current literature on the impact of early life epigenetics, especially DNA methylation on childhood health outcomes.
Keywords
Humans, Epigenesis, Genetic, DNA Methylation, Female, Child, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Infant, Newborn, Maternal Exposure, Maternal Health, Infant
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Srirupa Hari Gopal, Theresa Alenghat, and Mohan Pammi, "Early Life Epigenetics and Childhood Outcomes: A Scoping Review" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7689.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7689