Association Of Early-life Exposure Research Articles

Exposure to the Chinese famine in early life and the risk of anaemia in adulthood

BackgroundFamine exposure during the early stage of life is related to a number of adulthood diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the association of early life exposure to the famine in China (1959–1961) with the risk of anaemia in adulthood.MethodsWe used the data of 2007 adults born between 1954 and 1964 in Jiangsu province from the 2002 Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin concentration <12 g/dl in women and <13 g/dl in men.ResultsPrevalence of anaemia in adulthood in nonexposed, fetal-exposed, early-childhood, mid-childhood, and late-childhood exposed to famine groups were 26.0%, 33.8%, 28.1%, 28.2% and 29.7%, respectively. Overall, fetal-exposed to famine was associated with 37% increased risk of anaemia as compared with those non-exposed after adjusting for income, education, place of residence, smoking, alcohol drinking, job, hypertension and BMI; relative risk (95% confidence interval) (RR (95% CI)) was 1.37 (1.09, 1.71). In general, this association appeared to be stronger among men, those who were currently overweight or obese, or those of lower educational levels. Corresponding RR (95% CI) was 1.87 (1.21-2.87), 1.75 (1.20-2.56), and 2.07 (1.37-3.12), respectively.ConclusionsFetal exposure to the Chinese famine was associated with an increased risk of anaemia in adulthood.

Abstract 4483: Early life exposures and promoter methylation in breast cancer: the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) Study

Abstract Abstract Background: Exposures in the peri- and post-natal period (in utero, infancy, childhood, and adolescence) are associated with breast cancer risk, particularly premenopausal breast cancer. Epigenetic alterations in response to these exposures may play a critical role in early life, and then influence breast cancer risk in adult life. Using archived tumor blocks from incident breast cancer cases in a population-based the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer Study (WEB Study), we examined the association between early life exposures and promoter methylation of three tumor suppressor genes (p16, E-cadherin, and RARα2). Method: DNA samples isolated from 803 paraffin embedded tumor tissue were analyzed for hypermethylation status using real time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Unconditional logistic regression was used for case-case comparisons of those with and without promoter methylation to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for associations of early life exposure with the likelihood of promoter methylation. Results: Among premenopausal breast tumors, compared to those with normal birth weight (2.6-3.9 kg), there was increased likelihood of E - cadherin gene hypermethylation in tumors from lower birth weight (≥ 2.5 kg) (OR = 2.79, 95% CI, 1.15-6.82). Height was positively associated with the likelihood of hypermethylation of RAR-α2 gene in premenopausal tumors (OR =3.34, 95% CI, 1.19-9.39). For p16, there was significant differences in the likelihood of promoter methylation of p16 in relation to not having been breast fed in premenopausal tumors (OR = 2.75, 95% CI, 1.14-6.62). Among postmenopausal breast cancers, birth order was associated with increased likelihood of p16 promoter methylation. The likelihood of promoter methylation of the individual genes did not differ by maternal age at delivery, maternal height, age at menarche, age of first live birth, and weight at age 20 in either strata of menopause Conclusion: We found lower birth weight, not having been breast fed, and higher height were associated with promoter methylation of E - cadherin, p16 and RAR-α2 premenopausal breast tumors, respectively, suggesting that early life exposures may affect breast carcinogenesis among younger women through aberrant DNA methylation. Further studies of more genes and larger sample size may provide additional insight. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4483. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4483

Exposure to the Chinese famine in early life and the risk of hypertension in adulthood

Maternal famine exposure has been associated with higher blood pressure in the offspring. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations of early life exposure to the 1959-1961 Chinese famine with the risk of hypertension in later life, and to examine whether a nutritional 'rich' environment in later life modifies this association. We used data of 7874 adults born between 1954 and 1964 from the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey. Excess death rate was used to determine the severity of the famine. In severely affected famine areas, as compared to adults who were not exposed to famine, those exposed during fetal life had a significantly higher SBP [SBP difference 2.2 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-3.0, P < 0.0001], DBP (DBP difference 0.9 mmHg, 95% CI 0.3-1.5, P = 0.003) and a marginally higher risk of hypertension (odds ratio 1.88, 95% CI 1.00-3.53, P = 0.05), after adjustment of age, sex, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, dietary factors and family history of hypertension, which was not observed in less severely affected famine areas (P for interaction was 0.08 for SBP, 0.03 for DBP and 0.03 for hypertension). These associations were more pronounced in participants who had a western dietary pattern or who were overweight as adult. Our results suggest that fetal famine exposure is associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of hypertension in adulthood. These associations are stronger in participants who have a western dietary pattern or who are overweight as adults.

Exposure to the Chinese famine in early life and the risk of hypertension in adulthood

Objectiveto examine the associations of early life exposure to the 1959–1961 Chinese famine with the risk of hypertension in later life, and to examine whether a nutritional ‘rich’ environment in later life modifies this association.MethodsWe used data of 7,874 adults born between 1954 and 1964 from the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey.ResultsIn severely affected famine areas, as compared to adults who were not exposed to famine, those exposed during fetal life had a significantly higher systolic blood pressure (SBP difference 2.3 mmHg, 95%CI: 1.5–3.1, P&lt;.0001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP difference 1.1 mmHg, 95%CI: 0.5–1.7, P=0.0003) and a marginally higher risk of hypertension (odds ratio 1.82, 95%CI: 0.97–3.40, P=0.06), which was not observed in less severely affected famine areas (P for interaction was 0.065 for SBP, 0.048 for DBP and 0.038 for hypertension). These associations were more pronounced in subjects who had a Western dietary pattern or who were overweight as adult.ConclusionOur results suggest fetal environment is associated with increased blood pressure and the risk of hypertension in adulthood. This association is stronger in subjects who have a Western dietary pattern or who are overweight as adults.

The Association of Early Life Exposure to Antibiotics and the Development of Asthma, Eczema and Atopy in a Birth Cohort: Confounding or Causality?

Wickens K, Ingham T, Epton M, et al; New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study Group. Clin Exp Allergy . 2008;38(8):1318–1324 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. The goal was to examine the association between antibiotic exposure in infancy and the development of asthma, eczema, and atopy in early childhood. A secondary goal was to determine whether the association is secondary to confounding chest infections in infancy. STUDY POPULATION. Expectant mothers were recruited from a random sample of midwives in 2 major New Zealand cities between 1997 and 2001; full details on the nonresponding mothers are incomplete. METHODS. This was a birth cohort study that collected reported antibiotic exposure before 3 months and before 15 months, along with outcomes (wheeze, asthma, eczema, rash, and inhaler use) at 15 months ( N = 1011) and 4 …

The association of early life exposure to antibiotics and the development of asthma, eczema and atopy in a birth cohort: confounding or causality?

In general, studies reporting positive associations between antibiotic exposure and respiratory and allergic disease have been unable to determine the nature of this association. To examine the association between antibiotic exposure in infancy and the development of asthma, eczema and atopy in early childhood. In a birth cohort study, we collected reported antibiotic exposure before 3 months and before 15 months along with outcomes (wheeze, asthma, eczema, rash, inhaler use) at 15 months (n=1011) and 4 years (n=986). Atopy was measured using skin prick tests at 15 months. We found significant univariate associations of antibiotic exposure before 3 months with asthma developing between birth and 15 months [OR 2.32 (95% CI 1.45-3.69)]. After adjustment for chest infections, this association reduced (OR=1.58, 95% CI 0.96-2.60) becoming marginally significant (P=0.07). A marginally significant association of antibiotics with atopy (OR=1.44, 95% CI 0.96-2.14) in the univariate analysis also reduced after adjustment for chest infections (OR=1.36, 95% CI 0.91-2.05). There was no effect of antibiotic exposure before 15 months on asthma developing after 15 months and present between 3 and 4 years (OR=1.35 95% CI 0.85-2.14). Antibiotic exposure before 3 months was not associated with eczema and rash developing between birth and 15 months but exposure before 15 months was related to eczema [OR 1.83 (95% CI 1.10-3.05)] and rash [OR 1.61 (95% CI 1.02-2.53)] developing after 15 months and remaining present at 4 years. These effects reduced in the multivariate analysis. Our findings suggest that the effect of antibiotics on respiratory disease may be due to confounding by chest infections at an early age when asthma may be indistinguishable from infection.

Fish consumption, methylmercury and child neurodevelopment

To summarize recent evidence regarding associations of early life exposure to mercury from maternal fish consumption during pregnancy, thimerosal in vaccines and dental amalgam with child neurodevelopment. Recent publications have built upon previous evidence demonstrating mild detrimental neurocognitive effects from prenatal methylmercury exposure from maternal fish consumption during pregnancy. New studies examining the effects of prenatal fish consumption as well as methylmercury suggest there are benefits from prenatal fish consumption, but also that consumption of fish high in mercury should be avoided. Future studies incorporating information on both the methylmercury and the docosahexaenoic acid contained within fish will help to refine recommendations to optimize outcomes for mothers and children. Additional recent studies have supported the safety of vaccines containing thimerosal and of dental amalgam for repair of dental caries in children. Exposure to mercury may harm child development. Interventions intended to reduce exposure to low levels of mercury in early life must, however, be carefully evaluated in consideration of the potential attendant harm from resultant behavior changes, such as reduced docosahexaenoic acid exposure from lower seafood intake, reduced uptake of childhood vaccinations and suboptimal dental care.