Objectives/Goals: The purpose of this study was to examine associations between prenatal family and community exposures and early childhood DNA methylation (DNAm) at genomic regions related to energy regulation or fat deposition. Results could contribute to the understanding of disparities in metabolic health risk among children from disadvantaged communities. Methods/Study Population: This is part of a cross-sectional study of mother–child dyads recruited from a previous RCT with pregnant women in California who had a pre-pregnancy BMI of 25–40. DNA was extracted from saliva of 49 child participants between 1 and 4 years old and is undergoing whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. Outcomes are percent DNAm, both genome-wide and at genomic regions related to energy regulation or fat deposition. Prenatal exposures were measured by the Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program (GRASP) Place & Health burden percentile ranking, based on census tract of residence during pregnancy, with higher percentiles indicating greater burden. We will use regression to model associations of percent DNAm at gene loci of interest on GRASP percentile, controlling for relevant covariates (e.g., age, sex). Results/Anticipated Results: Final data collection, cleaning, and analysis are in progress and on target to be completed in Fall 2025. We will present final results of these analyses, including descriptive characteristics of the sample (e.g., summary and frequency statistics) and overall DNA methylation patterns (e.g., b or M values as appropriate), and whether there is support for our hypotheses that children with greater prenatal family and community exposures will have DNAm in pertinent genomic regions related to energy regulation or fat deposition (e.g., regression parameters and confidence intervals). Discussion/Significance of Impact: Findings will advance knowledge of early-life physiologic effects of exposures during pregnancy. Future clinicians may use this knowledge to earlier identify and treat children at high risk for adverse child metabolic health outcomes such as obesity, and health advocates can use it to promote policies to reduce adverse prenatal environments.
Keeton et al. (Wed,) studied this question.