University Library
  • Login
A gateway to Melbourne's research publications
Minerva Access is the University's Institutional Repository. It aims to collect, preserve, and showcase the intellectual output of staff and students of the University of Melbourne for a global audience.
View Item 
  • Minerva Access
  • Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
  • Melbourne Medical School
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Research Publications
  • View Item
  • Minerva Access
  • Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
  • Melbourne Medical School
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Research Publications
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    An epigenetic clock for gestational age at birth based on blood methylation data

    Thumbnail
    Download
    Published version (952.2Kb)

    Citations
    Scopus
    Altmetric
    71
    Author
    Knight, AK; Craig, JM; Theda, C; Baekvad-Hansen, M; Bybjerg-Grauholm, J; Hansen, CS; Hollegaard, MV; Hougaard, DM; Mortensen, PB; Weinsheimer, SM; ...
    Date
    2016-10-07
    Source Title
    Genome Biology
    Publisher
    BMC
    University of Melbourne Author/s
    Dalach, Philippa; Cheong, Jeanie; Doyle, Lex; Craig, Jeffrey; Theda, Christiane
    Affiliation
    Obstetrics and Gynaecology
    Paediatrics (RCH)
    Microbiology and Immunology
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Document Type
    Journal Article
    Citations
    Knight, A. K., Craig, J. M., Theda, C., Baekvad-Hansen, M., Bybjerg-Grauholm, J., Hansen, C. S., Hollegaard, M. V., Hougaard, D. M., Mortensen, P. B., Weinsheimer, S. M., Werge, T. M., Brennan, P. A., Cubells, J. F., Newport, D. J., Stowe, Z. N., Cheong, J. L. Y., Dalach, P., Doyle, L. W., Loke, Y. J. ,... Smith, A. K. (2016). An epigenetic clock for gestational age at birth based on blood methylation data. GENOME BIOLOGY, 17 (1), https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-016-1068-z.
    Access Status
    Open Access
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11343/260423
    DOI
    10.1186/s13059-016-1068-z
    Abstract
    BACKGROUND: Gestational age is often used as a proxy for developmental maturity by clinicians and researchers alike. DNA methylation has previously been shown to be associated with age and has been used to accurately estimate chronological age in children and adults. In the current study, we examine whether DNA methylation in cord blood can be used to estimate gestational age at birth. RESULTS: We find that gestational age can be accurately estimated from DNA methylation of neonatal cord blood and blood spot samples. We calculate a DNA methylation gestational age using 148 CpG sites selected through elastic net regression in six training datasets. We evaluate predictive accuracy in nine testing datasets and find that the accuracy of the DNA methylation gestational age is consistent with that of gestational age estimates based on established methods, such as ultrasound. We also find that an increased DNA methylation gestational age relative to clinical gestational age is associated with birthweight independent of gestational age, sex, and ancestry. CONCLUSIONS: DNA methylation can be used to accurately estimate gestational age at or near birth and may provide additional information relevant to developmental stage. Further studies of this predictor are warranted to determine its utility in clinical settings and for research purposes. When clinical estimates are available this measure may increase accuracy in the testing of hypotheses related to developmental age and other early life circumstances.

    Export Reference in RIS Format     

    Endnote

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format" and choose "open with... Endnote".

    Refworks

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format". Login to Refworks, go to References => Import References


    Collections
    • Minerva Elements Records [52443]
    • Microbiology & Immunology - Research Publications [2198]
    • Paediatrics (RCH) - Research Publications [2383]
    • Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Research Publications [828]
    Minerva AccessDepositing Your Work (for University of Melbourne Staff and Students)NewsFAQs

    BrowseCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects
    My AccountLoginRegister
    StatisticsMost Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors