Experiences of Discrimination and DNA Methylation Among Black Nulliparous Women

An epigenome-wide association study of 897 Black pregnant women in the nuMoM2b study examined links between perceived racial discrimination during pregnancy and DNA methylation. Researchers identified 130 CpG sites significantly associated with high levels of racial discrimination, with 14 of the 17 mapped genes tied to disease-associated phenotypes including cancer, cardiomyopathy, ovarian insufficiency, and neurodevelopmental disability. The authors call for inclusion of structural racism measures in future epigenetic research on adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes among Black women.