Methylation of the FGFR2 gene is associated with high birth weight centile in humans.

Aims: This study examined links between DNA methylation and birth weight centile (BWC), and explored the impact of genetic variation.

Materials & Methods: Using HumanMethylation450 arrays, we examined candidate gene-associated CpGs in cord blood from newborns with low (<15th centile), medium (40-60th centile) and high (>85th centile) BWC (n = 12). Candidates were examined in an investigation cohort (n = 110) using pyrosequencing and genotyping for putative methylation-associated polymorphisms performed using standard PCR.

Combined influence of gene-specific cord blood methylation and maternal smoking habit on birth weight.

Aim: Evidence suggests that folic acid intake affects birth weight and that these effects may be mediated via the fetal epigenome. Our previous array data indicate that methylation in human cord blood at gene-specific CpGs is associated with birth weight percentile (BWP). Our aims were to investigate associations with BWP in specific CpGs identified by the array analysis in a significantly larger cohort and investigate the effects of other relevant factors on this association.