The hidden pandemic: COVID-19-related stress, SLC6A4 methylation, and infants' temperament at 3 months. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Provenzi, Livio; Mambretti, Fabiana; Villa, Marco; Grumi, Serena; Citterio, Andrea; Bertazzoli, Emanuela; Biasucci, Giacomo; Decembrino, Lidia; Falcone, Rossana; Gardella, Barbara; Longo, Roberta; Nacinovich, Renata; Pisoni, Camilla; Prefumo, Federico; Orcesi, Simona; Scelsa, Barbara; Giorda, Roberto; Borgatti, Renato
• Is Part Of: Psychoneuroendocrinology. Volume 131(2021)Supplement
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Psychoneuroendocrinology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Neuropsychoendocrinologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4530

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The COVID-19 pandemic represents a collective trauma that may have enduring stress effects during sensitive periods, such as pregnancy. Prenatal stress may result in epigenetic signatures of stress-related genes (e.g., the serotonin transporter gene, SLC6A4) that may in turn influence infants' behavioral development. Methods: In April 2020, we launched a longitudinal cohort study to assess the behavioral and epigenetic vestiges of COVID-19-related prenatal stress exposure in mothers and infants. COVID-19-related prenatal stress was retrospectively assessed at birth. SLC6A4 methylation was assessed in infants' buccal cells. Infants' temperament was assessed at 3-month-age. Results: Complete data were available from 108 mother-infant dyads. Greater COVID-19-related prenatal stress was significantly associated with higher infants' SLC6A4 methylation (RR =.07, p =.007, B =.16 [.05;.29]). SLC6A4 methylation at these sites predicted infants' temperament at 3 months (RR =.05, p =.027, B = -.45 [-.92;-.06]). Conclusion: Indirect effects of the pandemic may alter the trajectories of behavioral development infants. Appropriate prevention and care acts need to be adopted by healthcare systems.