Avon Longitudinal Study Of Parents And Children Research Articles

Prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with alterations in offspring DNA methylation at genes involved in neurodevelopment, across the life course.

Prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) is of increasing concern globally, due to the potential impact on offspring neurodevelopment, and its association with childhood and adolescent brain development and cognitive function. However, there is currently a lack of research addressing the molecular impact of PCE, that may help to clarify the association between PCE and neurodevelopment. To address this knowledge gap, here we present epigenome-wide association study data across multiple time points, examining the effect of PCE and co-exposure with tobacco using two longitudinal studies, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and the Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS) at birth (0 y), 7 y and 15-17 y (ALSPAC), and ~27 y (CHDS). Our findings reveal genome-wide significant DNA methylation differences in offspring at 0 y, 7 y, 15-17 y, and 27 y associated with PCE alone, and co-exposure with tobacco. Importantly, we identified significantly differentially methylated CpG sites within the genes LZTS2, NPSR1, NT5E, CRIP2, DOCK8, COQ5, and LRP5 that are shared between different time points throughout development in offspring. Notably, functional pathway analysis showed enrichment for differential DNA methylation in neurodevelopment, neurotransmission, and neuronal structure pathways, and this was consistent across all timepoints in both cohorts. Given the increasing volume of epidemiological evidence that suggests a link between PCE and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in exposed offspring, this work highlights the need for further investigation into PCE, particularly in larger cohorts.

The importance of timing of socioeconomic disadvantage throughout development for depressive symptoms and brain structure

Prior studies have reported associations between socioeconomic disadvantage, brain structure and mental health outcomes, but the timing of these relations is not well understood. Using prospective longitudinal data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), this preregistered study examined whether socioeconomic disadvantage related differentially to depressive symptoms (n=3012–3530) and cortical and subcortical structures (n=460–733) in emerging adults, depending on the timing of exposure to socioeconomic disadvantage. Family income in early childhood and own income measured concurrently were both significantly related to depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood. Similar results were observed for perceived financial strain. In contrast, only family income in early childhood was associated with brain structure in emerging adulthood, with positive associations with intracranial volume and total and regional cortical surface area. The findings suggest that both objective and subjective aspects of one’s financial standing throughout development relate to depressive symptoms in adulthood, but that specifically early life family income is related to brain structural features in emerging adulthood. This suggests that associations between socioeconomic disadvantage and brain structure originate early in neurodevelopment, highlighting the role of timing of socioeconomic disadvantage.

Companion animals and child development outcomes: longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of a UK birth cohort study

BackgroundResearch into the impact of social relationships on childhood and adolescent health and wellbeing has been largely limited to children’s relationships with other humans, while studies into the impact of pet ownership are sparse and have generally not adjusted for potential confounders. This study aimed to investigate the association between pet ownership and a range of developmental outcomes in childhood and adolescence.MethodsData were self-reports and direct assessments of approx. 14,000 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Multivariable regression models adjusting for confounding factors examined associations between developmental outcome measures (emotional health, behavioural development, cognitive development, language development, educational attainment) and concurrent pet ownership, including species, and also longitudinal pet ownership history and pet-interaction where possible. Analyses model numbers using multiple imputation varied from n = 393–8963.ResultsIn cross-sectional analyses, owning a dog (b = 0.24, [0.06–0.41], p = .004) and owning other/miscellaneous pets (b = 0.18, [0.03–0.33], p = .021) at age 3 were associated with higher prosocial behaviour score. Owning a pet was associated with a higher non-verbal communication score at age 2 (cross-sectional, b = 0.18, [0.04–0.32], p = .014), and a higher language development score at age 5 (cross-sectional, b = 1.01, [0.18–1.83], p = .017). However, pet ownership was associated with lower educational attainment across a number of academic subjects and timepoints, in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. It was also cross-sectionally linked to hyperactivity at age 3 and conduct problems at age 3 and 11. Furthermore, at age 8, cross-sectional analysis showed that children who owned any pets (OR [95% CI]: 0.85 [0.73–0.98], p= ·026) or cats (0.83, [0.73–0.95], p= ·006) had lower odds of high self-esteem (scholastic competence).ConclusionsUsing a large, well-designed longitudinal study and adjusting for key confounders, we found little evidence of cross-sectional or longitudinal associations between pet ownership and emotional health or cognitive outcomes in children. There may, however, be some cross-sectional and longitudinal association with poorer educational attainment and a positive impact on social interactions as seen through associations with enhanced language development and prosocial behaviour. This study demonstrates the importance of adjustment for confounding variables and suggests that, contrary to popular belief, positive impacts of pet ownership on childhood development may be mainly limited to social behaviour and language development.

Inflammation Proteomic Profiling of Psychosis in Young Adults: Findings from the ALSPAC Birth Cohort

Psychotic disorder is associated with altered levels of various inflammatory markers in blood, but existing studies have typically focused on a few selected biomarkers, have not examined specific symptom domains notably negative symptoms, and are based on individuals with established/chronic illness. Based on data from young people aged 24 years from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a UK birth cohort, we have examined the associations of 67 plasma immune/inflammatory proteins assayed using the Olink Target 96 Inflammation panel with psychotic disorder, positive (any psychotic experiences and definite psychotic experiences) and negative symptoms, using linear models with empirical Bayes estimation. The analyses included between 2317 and 2854 individuals. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index and smoking and correction for multiple testing, positive symptoms and psychotic disorder were consistently associated with upregulation of CDCP1 and IL-6, and psychotic disorder was additionally associated with upregulation of MMP-10. Negative symptoms were associated with upregulation of CDCP1 and TRAIL. CDCP1 and MMP-10 are novel markers of psychosis identified in this study, and are involved in immune regulation, immune cell activation/migration, blood-brain barrier disruption, and extracellular matrix abnormalities. Our findings highlight psychosis symptom domains have overlapping and distinct immune associations, and support a role of inflammation and immune dysfunction in the pathogenesis of psychosis.

Associations between early experiences of thought interference and auditory-verbal hallucinations with first-rank symptoms and suicidality in adulthood

Background Suicide is one of the major causes of premature death in patients diagnosed with a schizophrenia-spectrum psychotic disorder. However, associations between psychotic-like experiences in youth and suicidality in later life remain under-researched. Aims We aimed to investigate any associations between early experiences of thought interference and auditory-verbal hallucinations (AVHs) with first-rank symptoms of schizophrenia and suicidal thoughts and behaviours in adulthood. Method This study used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We calculated combined thought interference score at ages 11 years 8 months, 13 years 1 month, 14 years 1 month and 16 years 6 months. We also assessed AVHs at the same age points. For outcome variables, we used specific variables measuring delusions of control, AVHs and suicidality at 24 years of age. We carried out logistic regressions and mediation analyses to assess the relationships among these variables. Results Thought interference and AVHs at all ages throughout childhood and adolescence were associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and also with clinically more significant symptoms of delusions of control and AVHs at age 24. Substance use-induced psychotic-like experiences mediated a large proportion of the relationship between early psychotic-like experiences and suicidality in later life. Conclusions Thought interference and AVHs in childhood and adolescence are associated with first-rank symptoms and suicidality in adulthood. Mental health interventions in children and adolescents need to take into account the impact of specific psychotic-like experiences and allow for the early detection of thought interference and AVH-related symptoms.

Exploring the importance of family socio-economic position on the association between parental BMI and offspring BMI trajectories

PurposeWe aimed to investigate the associations between parental BMI and offspring BMI trajectories and to explore whether the parent-offspring BMI growth trajectory association differed according to family SEP or social mobility. MethodsWe used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Children’s weight and height were collected from 1 to 18 years. Parents’ height and weight were reported pre-pregnancy. We assessed family SEP by measuring parents’ and grandparents’ educational attainment, social class, and social mobility by changes in education attainment across generations. Multilevel models were used to develop trajectories and assess patterns of change in offspring BMI, to associate parental BMI with these trajectories, and explore whether these associations differed by family SEP and social mobility. Results13,612 children were included in the analyses. The average BMI of offspring whose parents were overweight or obese was higher throughout childhood and adolescence, compared to those with parents of normal BMI. Parental and grandparental low SEP were associated with higher child BMI, but there was little evidence of modification of parent-offspring associations. For example, at age 15 years the predicted mean BMI difference between children of overweight or obese mothers versus normal-weight mothers was 12.5 % (95 %CI: 10.1 % to 14.7 %) and 12.2 % (95 %CI: 10.3 % to 13.7 %) for high and low grandparental SEP, respectively. DiscussionThese findings strengthen the evidence that higher parental BMI and lower family SEP were associated with higher offspring BMI, but we did not observe strong evidence that family SEP modifies the parental-offspring BMI association.

Longitudinal characterization of impulsivity phenotypes boosts signal for genomic correlates and heritability.

Genomic correlates of impulsivity have been identified in several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using cross-sectional designs, but no studies have investigated the molecular genetic correlates of impulsivity phenotypes using longitudinally constructed traits. In 3860 unrelated European participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), we constructed longitudinal phenotypes for delay discounting and impulsive personality traits (as measured by the UPPS-P impulsive behavior scales) via assessment at ages 24, 26, and 28. We conducted GWASs of impulsivity using both cross-sectional and longitudinal phenotypes, estimated heritability and their phenotypic and genetic correlations, and evaluated their association with recently-developed polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for the impulsivity indicators themselves and also related psychiatric conditions. Latent growth curve modeling revealed a stable intercept over time for all impulsivity phenotypes. High genetic correlation of cross-sectional measures over time suggested a stable genetic component for delay discounting (rg = 0.53-0.99) and sensation seeking (rg = 0.99). Heritability estimates of the stable longitudinal phenotypes substantively improved as compared to their cross-sectional counterparts, revealing a significant SNP-heritability for delay discounting (0.22; p = 0.03) and sensation seeking (0.35; p = 0.0007). Consistent with previous reports, GWAS and gene-based analyses revealed associations between specific longitudinal impulsivity indicators and CADM2 and NCAM1 genes. The PRSs for the impulsivity indicators and disorders related to self-regulation were also significantly associated with longitudinal impulsivity traits. Finally, we validated the associations between longitudinal impulsivity phenotypes and their PRSs in an independent 13-wave longitudinal study (n = 1019) and the benefit of longitudinal phenotypes in simulation studies. In this first longitudinal genetic study of impulsivity traits, the results revealed stable genomic correlates of delay discounting and sensation seeking over time and further validated the utility of recently-developed PRSs, both in relation to the observed traits and in connecting them to psychiatric disorders. More generally, these findings support using latent intercepts as novel longitudinal phenotypes to boost signal for heritability and genomic correlates of mechanisms contributing to psychiatric disease liability.

Later eating rhythm measured in children at 7 years of age in the ALSPAC cohort.

Later eating rhythm (LER) refers to later timing, greater energy intake (EI), and higher frequency of eating occasions (meal/snack) in the evening. The significance of LER in child health is becoming increasingly recognised. However, the lack of consensus regarding definitions of LER make it challenging to fully comprehend its role. This data note describes LER variables derived in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), an ongoing birth cohort which enrolled 14,541 pregnant women living in Avon, UK, with an expected date of delivery between April 1991 - December 1992. When children were 7 years, parents completed a structured 3-day food diary, recording all foods/drinks consumed over 3 days (preferably 1 weekend day and 2 weekdays). Data was available for 7,285 children (50.1% response rate). A subsample of 4,869 children had exact time of eating occasions added to the existing database, which only included broad indications of eating timing based on 2-7 hour long meal slots. 13 LER variables were derived for the entire week and weekdays/weekend days separately. These comprise: 1) eating around individual bedtime (number days); 2) eating around average bedtime (number days); 3) time of evening main meal (hrs:mins); 4) time of last eating occasion (hrs:mins); 5) EI in the evening (percentage of total daily energy intake, %TDEI); 6) EI within 2hrs before bedtime (%TDEI); 7) EI for evening main meal (%TDEI); 8) EI for evening snacks (%TDEI); 9) Night eating1 (NE1): eating over 30% of total daily energy intake after 18:00 (number days); 10) NE2: eating over 25% of total daily energy intake within 2hrs before bedtime (number days); 11) eating frequency after 17:00 (number of eating occasions); 12) regularity of dinner (number of days); 13) frequency of evening snacks (number days). We describe the derivation, prevalence and inter-corelations between LER variables.

Trajectories of Inflammation in Youth and Risk of Mental and Cardiometabolic Disorders in Adulthood

Research suggests that low-grade, nonresolving inflammation may predate adult mental and physical illness. However, evidence to date is largely cross-sectional or focuses on single disorder outcomes. To examine trajectories of inflammation as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in a large sample of children and adolescents, and to explore associations between different identified trajectories and mental and related cardiometabolic health outcomes in early adulthood. In a longitudinal cohort study using data from the large UK-based Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was used to explore different trajectories of inflammation, with logistic regression exploring association with mental and physical health outcomes. Participants with measurable CRP data and associated mental and cardiometabolic health outcomes recorded were included in the analysis. Data analysis was performed from May 1, 2023, to March 30, 2024. Inflammation was assessed via CRP levels at ages 9, 15, and 17 years. LCGA was used to identify different trajectories of inflammation. Outcomes assessed at age 24 years included psychotic disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, hypomania, and, as a measure of insulin resistance, Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA2) score. A total of 6556 participants (3303 [50.4%] female) were included. Three classes of inflammation were identified: persistently low CRP levels (reference class, n = 6109); persistently raised CRP levels, peaking at age 9 years (early peak, n = 197); and persistently raised CRP levels, peaking at age 17 years (late peak, n = 250). Participants in the early peak group were associated with a higher risk of psychotic disorder (odds ratio [OR], 4.60; 95% CI, 1.81-11.70; P = .008), a higher risk of severe depression (OR, 4.37; 95% CI, 1.64-11.63; P = .02), and higher HOMA2 scores (β = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.62, P = .04) compared with participants with persistently low CRP. The late peak group was not associated with any outcomes at age 24 years. Low-grade systemic inflammation peaking in midchildhood was associated with specific mental and cardiometabolic disorders in young adulthood. These findings suggest that low-grade persistent inflammation in early life may be an important shared common factor for mental-physical comorbidity and so could be relevant to future efforts of patient stratification and risk profiling.

Adolescent Psychotic Experiences and Adverse Mental Health Outcomes in Adulthood in a General Population Sample.

This study estimated risk of incident mental disorders in adulthood associated with both transient and persistent adolescent psychotic experiences (PEs). A nested case-control design was used within the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a birth cohort study which recruited expectant mothers from 1991-1992. Participants consisted of 8822 offspring of ALSPAC mothers who completed the Psychosis-like Symptoms Interview Questionnaire (PLIKSi-Q). PEs were assessed using the PLIKSi-Q. Depressive disorders were assessed using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ), anxiety disorders using the General Anxiety Disorder Assessment and the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised, and psychotic disorder using the PLIKSi. Risk of incident depressive disorder, GAD, psychotic disorder, and past-year suicide attempts were compared amongst participants who had ever versus never reported a PE and those who reported persistent versus transient PEs. Adolescent PEs were associated with increased risk for incident depressive disorder (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.42, 1.84), GAD (aHR 1.23, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.47), psychotic disorder (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.08, 95% CI = 2.02, 12.79), and past-year suicide attempts (aHR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.97, 3.25). Persistent PEs were associated with increased risk for depressive disorder (aHR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.55, 2.12), generalized anxiety disorder (aHR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.68), and psychotic disorder (aOR = 7.39, 95% CI = 2.43, 22.19) but not past-year suicide attempts. Adolescent PEs are a risk factor for multiple mental disorders and suicide attempts, with persistent PEs conferring greater risk. Identifying interventions for adolescents who report PEs, particularly persistent PEs, could lessen the burden of multiple mental health disorders and suicide attempts.

The role of body image dissatisfaction in the relationship between body size and disordered eating and self-harm: complimentary Mendelian randomization and mediation analyses.

Disordered eating and self-harm commonly co-occur in young people suggesting potential for shared underlying causes. Body image dissatisfaction (BID) has been recognised as a psychological correlate of body size, associated with both disordered eating and self-harm. However, the investigation into etiological pathways early in the lifecourse to provide detail on how body size and BID may foster disordered eating and self-harm remains largely unexplored. Employing data from two large population-based cohorts, the UK Biobank and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children (ALSPAC), we conducted bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to determine the causal direction of effect between genetically predicted prepubertal body size and two measures of BID indicating (i) desire to be smaller, and (ii) desire to be larger. We then used multivariable regression followed by counterfactual mediation analyses. Bidirectional MR indicated robust evidence that increased genetically predicted prepubertal body size increased desire to be smaller and decreased desire to be larger. Evidence for the reverse causal direction was negligible. These findings remained very similar across sensitivity analyses. In females and males, multivariable regression analyses demonstrated that being overweight increased the risk of disordered eating (risk ratio (RR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19, 1.01 to 1.40 and 1.98, 1.28 to 3.05, respectively) and self-harm (RR, 95% CI: 1.35, 1.04 to 1.77 and 1.55, 0.86 to 2.81, respectively), while being underweight was protective against disordered eating (RR, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.40 to 0.81 and 0.81, 0.38 to 1.73, respectively). There was weak evidence of an increase in the risk of self-harm among underweight individuals. Mediation analyses indicated that the relationship between being overweight and subsequent disordered eating was largely mediated by the desire to be smaller. Our research carries important public health implications, suggesting distinct risk profiles for self-harm and disordered eating in relation to weight and body image. In addition, a better understanding of genetically predicted prepubertal BID may be valuable in the prevention and treatment of disordered eating and self-harm in adolescence.

Investigating the neurodevelopmental correlates of early adolescent-onset emotional problems

BackgroundEmotional problems (EPs) increase sharply after mid-adolescence. Earlier EPs are associated with poorer long-term outcomes, and their underlying mechanisms may differ to later-onset EPs. Given an established relationship between ADHD, autism, and later depression, we aimed to examine associations between neurodevelopmental conditions and correlates and early adolescent-onset EPs. MethodsAdolescents in two UK population cohorts, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), were included. Individuals scoring >6 on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) emotional problems subscale between ages 11–14 were defined as having early adolescent-onset EP, whilst those scoring >6 for the first time at 16–25 were defined as having later-onset EP. We tested associations between early adolescent-onset EP (total cases = 887, controls = 19,582) and ICD-10/DSM-5 neurodevelopmental conditions and known correlates, including: sex, birth complications, low cognitive ability, special educational needs (SEND), and epilepsy. Analyses were conducted separately in ALSPAC and MCS then meta-analysed. ResultsIn the meta-analysis of both cohorts, early adolescent-onset EPs were associated with female sex and greater likelihood of low cognitive ability, SEND, autism, ADHD, and reading difficulties. Compared to later-onset EP, early adolescent-onset EPs were associated with male sex, low cognitive ability, SEND, epilepsy, ASD, ADHD, and reading difficulties. LimitationsA clinical definition of depression/anxiety was available only in ALSPAC, instead we primarily defined EP via questionnaires, which capture a broader phenotype. ConclusionsIndividuals with early adolescent-onset EP are likely to have a co-occurring neurodevelopmental condition. Clinicians should consider assessing for neurodevelopmental conditions in young adolescents with EPs.

Associations between prenatal stress with offspring inflammation, depression and anxiety

PurposeFew longitudinal studies have investigated the mediating role of inflammation during childhood in associations between prenatal maternal stress and adolescent mental health. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between prenatal maternal stress, concentrations of immune markers at age 9, and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression during adolescence. MethodsThis study included 3723 mother-child pairs from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Prenatal maternal stress was examined using 55 items measured during pregnancy. Inflammation was assessed using serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) when children were 9 years old. GAD and depression were assessed when children were 16 and 18 years of age, respectively. Analyses comprised of structural equation models. ResultsPrenatal maternal stress was associated with higher concentrations of IL-6 in childhood, and with greater symptoms of depression and GAD in adolescence. However, we did not observe associations between prenatal maternal stress and CRP; also, CRP and IL-6 were not associated with depression and GAD. There was no evidence that CRP and IL-6 mediated the associations between prenatal maternal stress and either GAD or depression. ConclusionsPrenatal maternal stress is associated with IL-6 levels in childhood, and with GAD and depression during adolescence. Future studies should examine immune activity at multiple points during development in relation to mental health into adulthood to determine whether inflammation at different points during development could increase risk for mental health problems among children whose mothers experienced significant stressors during pregnancy.

Exploring pleiotropy in Mendelian randomisation analyses: What are genetic variants associated with 'cigarette smoking initiation' really capturing?

Genetic variants used as instruments for exposures in Mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses may have horizontal pleiotropic effects (i.e., influence outcomes via pathways other than through the exposure), which can undermine the validity of results. We examined the extent of this using smoking behaviours as an example. We first ran a phenome-wide association study in UK Biobank, using a smoking initiation genetic instrument. From the most strongly associated phenotypes, we selected those we considered could either plausibly or not plausibly be caused by smoking. We examined associations between genetic instruments for smoking initiation, smoking heaviness and lifetime smoking and these phenotypes in UK Biobank and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We conducted negative control analyses among never smokers, including children. We found evidence that smoking-related genetic instruments were associated with phenotypes not plausibly caused by smoking in UK Biobank and (to a lesser extent) ALSPAC. We observed associations with phenotypes among never smokers. Our results demonstrate that smoking-related genetic risk scores are associated with unexpected phenotypes that are less plausibly downstream of smoking. This may reflect horizontal pleiotropy in these genetic risk scores, and we would encourage researchers to exercise caution this when using these and genetic risk scores for other complex behavioural exposures. We outline approaches that could be taken to consider this and overcome issues caused by potential horizontal pleiotropy, for example, in genetically informed causal inference analyses (e.g., MR) it is important to consider negative control outcomesand triangulation approaches, to avoid arriving at incorrect conclusions.

Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences and Biological Aging During Pregnancy and in Newborns

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), potentially traumatic experiences occurring before the age of 18 years, are associated with epigenetic aging later in life and may be transmitted across generations. To test evidence of the transmission of biological embedding of life experience across generations by analyzing maternal ACEs and epigenetic clocks measured in mothers during pregnancy and in their children at birth. For this cross-sectional study, data from the Accessible Resource for Integrated Epigenomic Studies (ARIES) substudy of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were analyzed. The ALSPAC study recruited 14 541 women who gave birth in the Avon Health District in the UK between April 1, 1991, and December 31, 1992. The ARIES substudy comprised 1018 mother-offspring dyads based on the availability of DNA samples profiled in 2014. Epigenetic age was estimated using DNA methylation-based epigenetic clocks (including Horvath, Hannum, GrimAge, PhenoAge, and DunedinPACE) in mothers during pregnancy and the Knight and Bohlin cord blood epigenetic clocks in newborns. Analyses were performed between October 1, 2022, and November 30, 2023. A composite measure of maternal ACEs was the primary exposure in both maternal and offspring models; as a secondary analysis, individual ACEs were measured separately. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to investigate depression during pregnancy as an exposure. Changes in epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) were investigated as the primary outcome in maternal models during pregnancy. Changes in epigenetic gestational age acceleration (GAA) were the primary outcome in offspring analyses. Linear regression analyses were used to determine the association between maternal ACEs and both outcomes. This study included 883 mother-child dyads. The mean (SD) maternal age at delivery was 29.8 (4.3) years. Pregnant women with higher ACE scores exhibited higher GrimAge EAA (β, 0.22 [95% CI, 0.12 to 0.33] years; P < .001). Maternal ACEs were not associated with GAA in newborns using P < .05 as a cutoff to determine statistical significance. Depression was associated with higher GrimAge EAA (β, 0.06 [95% CI, 0.02 to 0.10] years; P = .01) in mothers during pregnancy, but not in newborns, and did not mediate the association between ACEs and EAA. The findings of this study suggest that maternal ACEs may be associated with epigenetic aging later in life, including during pregnancy, supporting a role for maternal ACEs in offspring development and health later in life.

Later eating rhythm measured in children at 7 years of age in the ALSPAC cohort

Later eating rhythm (LER) refers to later timing, greater energy intake (EI), and higher frequency of eating occasions (meal/snack) in the evening. The significance of LER in child health is becoming increasingly recognised. However, the lack of consensus regarding definitions of LER make it challenging to fully comprehend its role. This data note describes LER variables derived in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), an ongoing birth cohort which enrolled 14,541 pregnant women living in Avon, UK, with an expected date of delivery between April 1991 - December 1992. When children were 7 years, parents completed a structured 3-day food diary, recording all foods/drinks consumed over 3 days (preferably 1 weekend day and 2 weekdays). Data was available for 7,285 children (50.1% response rate). A subsample of 4,869 children had exact time of eating occasions added to the existing database, which only included broad indications of eating timing based on 2-7 hour long meal slots. 13 LER variables were derived for the entire week and weekdays/weekend days separately. These comprise: 1) eating around individual bedtime (number days); 2) eating around average bedtime (0number days); 3) time of evening main meal (hrs:mins); 4) time of last eating occasion (hrs:mins); 5) EI in the evening (percentage of total daily energy intake, %TDEI); 6) EI within 2hrs before bedtime (%TDEI); 7) EI for evening main meal (%TDEI); 8) EI for evening snacks (%TDEI); 9) Night eating1 (NE1): eating over 30% of total daily energy intake after 18:00 (number days); 10) NE2: eating over 25% of total daily energy intake within 2hrs before bedtime (number days); 11) eating frequency after 17:00 (number of eating occasions); 12) regularity of dinner (0, 1, 2, 3 days); 13) frequency of evening snacks (number days). We describe the derivation, prevalence and inter-corelations between LER variables.

Climate change beliefs and behaviours: Data collected from 30-year-old offspring and their parents in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

Climate change is causing a suite of environmental and social issues. Understanding patterns of climate change beliefs and behaviours, and the factors which shape these attitudes and actions, is therefore essential. This data note describes the novel data collection of climate belief and behaviour questions embedded within the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a longitudinal population-based birth cohort in southwest England. Two generations of ALSPAC participants completed the questionnaires containing these climate questions: the Generation-1 (G1) offspring (n=4,341), Generation-0 (G0) mothers (n=4,793), and the G0 mother’s partners (n=2,111). The questions asked about: belief in climate change; concern over climate change; whether climate change is caused by human activity; whether individual behaviours can impact climate change; the impacts of climate change in the participants’ local area; and whether participants were engaging in any of 17 pro-environmental behaviours (e.g., recycling more, reducing meat/dairy consumption) for climate change and/or other reasons. The majority of participants believed the climate was definitely changing (~80%), were somewhat or very concerned about climate change (~90%) and attributed most or all of climate change to human activity (~75%), with only small differences between the generations. On average, participants reported engaging in between 5 and 6 actions because of concerns regarding climate change (5.8 in G0 mothers; 5.2 in G1 offspring and G0 partners). Associations with sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic background) were relatively weak, but positive relationships between highest level of education and greater climate change belief, concern and behaviours were evident. Increased climate belief and concern also predicted engaging in more pro-environmental actions. Responses to these climate questions were more similar within-families. This data note provides important information for future users of these data, as well as discussing some of the key strengths, limitations and considerations for data users.

Healthy Prenatal Dietary Pattern and Offspring Autism

Prenatal diet may be causally related to autism; however, findings are inconsistent, with a limited body of research based on small sample sizes and retrospective study designs. To investigate the associations of prenatal dietary patterns with autism diagnosis and autism-associated traits in 2 large prospective cohorts, the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). This cohort study used data from MoBa and ALSPAC birth cohort studies conducted across Norway and in the Southwest of England, respectively. Participants were people with singleton pregnancies with self-reported food frequency questionnaire responses. MoBa recruited between 2002 and 2008, and ALSPAC recruited between 1990 and 1992, and children were followed-up until age 8 years or older. Recruitment rates were 41% (95 200 of 277 702 eligible pregnancies) in MoBa and 72% (14 541 of 20 248 eligible pregnancies) in ALSPAC. Data analysis occurred February 1, 2022, to August 1, 2023. A healthy prenatal dietary pattern was derived using factor analysis and modeled as low, medium, and high adherence. In MoBa, the offspring outcomes were autism diagnosis and elevated social communication questionnaire score at ages 3 years and 8 years, with further analysis of the social communication difficulties and restrictive and repetitive behaviors subdomains. In ALSPAC, offspring outcomes were elevated social communication difficulties checklist score at age 8 years. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using generalized nonlinear models. MoBa included 84 548 pregnancies (mean [SD] age, 30.2 [4.6] years; 43 277 [51.2%] male offspring) and ALSPAC had 11 760 pregnancies (mean [SD] age, 27.9 [4.7] years; 6034 [51.3%] male offspring). In the final adjusted models, high adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, compared with low adherence, was associated with reduced odds of autism diagnosis (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.92) and social communication difficulties at age 3 years in MoBa (OR 0.76, 95% CI, 0.70-0.82) and age 8 years in ALSPAC (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55-0.98). There was no consistent evidence of association with the other outcomes. In this cohort study of mother-child dyads, adherence to a healthy prenatal dietary pattern was associated with a lower odds of autism diagnosis and social communication difficulties but not restrictive and repetitive behaviors.

Childhood neurodivergent traits, inflammation and chronic disabling fatigue in adolescence: a longitudinal case–control study

ObjectivesTo test whether inflammatory processes link the expression of childhood neurodivergent traits to chronic disabling fatigue in adolescence.DesignLongitudinal case–control study.SettingWe analysed data from The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and...

Linking the mothers and index children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) with the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP)

This data note describes electronic mental-health records of a portion of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort. The records were obtained by the linking of identifiers of the participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC – also known as ‘Children of the 90s’) with those of the clients of the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP). The patient records from AWP includes data about some of the original mothers as well as some of the study’s index children. There was insufficient linkage data to include the original fathers/partners in this exercise. There are a smaller number of families with AWP records on both mother and child. Software syntax was written using STATA (StataCorp LLC, version 17) to convert the original ‘comma separated values’ (.csv) files into a de-identified, but consistent, format for use in research. The cleaned AWP records provide a contemporaneous record of a subset of the ALSPAC cohort over a period of the ALSPAC study in an easily accessible format, in a data base for use in future research.