Associative DNA methylation changes in children with prenatal alcohol exposure.

AIM: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Previously, we assessed PAE in brain tissue from mouse models, however whether these changes are present in humans remains unknown.

MATERIALS &

METHODS

In this report, we show some identical changes in DNA methylation in the buccal swabs of six children with FASD using the 450K array.

RESULTS

The changes occur in genes related to protocadherins, glutamatergic synapses, and hippo signaling. The results were found to be similar in another heterogeneous replication group of six FASD children.

CONCLUSION

The replicated results suggest that children born with FASD have unique DNA methylation defects that can be influenced by sex and medication exposure. Ultimately, with future clinical development, assessment of DNA methylation from buccal swabs can provide a novel strategy for the diagnosis of FASD.