DNA Methyltransferase Candidate Polymorphisms, Imprinting Methylation, and Birth Outcome

Birth weight and prematurity are important obstetric outcomes linked to lifelong health. We studied a large birth cohort to look for evidence of epigenetic involvement in birth outcomes. (rs7354779). We measured methylation of LINE1 and the imprinted genes, PEG3, SNRPN, and IGF2, in cord blood.The minor DNMT3L allele in the baby was associated with higher birth weight (+54 95% CI 10,99 g; p = 0.016), birth length (+0.23 95% CI 0.04,0.42 cm; p = 0.017), placental weight, (+18 95% CI 3,33 g; p = 0.017), and reduced risk of being in the lowest birth weight decile (p = 0.018) or requiring neonatal care (p = 0.039). The DNMT3B minor allele in the mother was associated with an increased risk of prematurity (p = 0.001). Placental size was related to PEG3 (p<0.001) and IGF2 (p