B4062 - C-section Delivery and blood DNA Methylation at Birth and in Childhood - 20/05/2022

B number: 
B4062
Principal applicant name: 
Giulia Mancano | University of Bristol (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants: 
Ms Fernanda Morales Berstein, Dr Hannah Elliott, Dr Gemma Sharp, Dr Rebecca Richmond, Dr Marie-France Hivert , Joanne Sordillo
Title of project: 
C-section Delivery and blood DNA Methylation at Birth and in Childhood
Proposal summary: 

Emerging evidence suggests that babies born by C-section (Cesarean section) have different hormonal, physical, bacterial, and medical exposures, and that these exposures can subtly alter neonatal physiology. (Sandall et la, 2018) C-section delivery has been associated with a number of chronic disease outcomes in children, including metabolic risk phenotypes and asthma. One of the potential mechanisms through which C-section delivery may increase risk of adverse health outcomes is via epigenetic alterations. (Dahlen et al, 2013)

Dahlen, HG et al. “The EPIIC hypothesis: intrapartum effects on the neonatal epigenome and consequent health outcomes.” Med Hypotheses. 2013. May; 80(5):656-62.

Sandall, J et al. “Short-term and long-term effects of caesarean section on the health of women and children.” Lancet. 2018. Oct 13; 392(10155):1349-1357.

Impact of research: 
This research will contribute to the identification of novel differentially methylated CpG sites in the offspring, and therefore, to our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms underlying observed associations between mode of delivery and adverse offspring health outcomes.
Date proposal received: 
Friday, 20 May, 2022
Date proposal approved: 
Friday, 20 May, 2022
Keywords: 
Epidemiology, Pregnancy - e.g. reproductive health, postnatal depression, birth outcomes, etc., DNA methylation, Birth outcomes, Epigenetics, Microbiome, Offspring