Epigenetic Biomarkers

Gestation and early life are highly susceptible to epigenetic alterations, as the fetal epigenome is undergoing large-scale remodeling, including DNA demethylation and remethylation, which are followed by tissue-specific methylation as cells undergo fate decisions. If these epigenetic changes are disrupted, the disruption may potentiate the development of disease later in life. This chapter introduces the use of epigenetic measurements as biomarkers of maternal exposure and their links to later health outcomes in the offspring. Further, it goes into the current state of the research across diverse environmental exposures such as to air pollution, metals, persistent organic pollutants, and nutrition. All in all, understanding the epigenetic effects of prenatal exposures may allow us to better assess the risk of adverse outcomes during pregnancy and later childhood diseases, as well as to inform strategies designed to prevent or reduce the impact of environmental exposure on women and children.