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Final Program


2024 Schedule
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Blue Award 1
Blue Award 1
Blue Award 2
Blue Award 2
Coffee Service
Coffee Service
Food & Beverage
Food & Beverage
Blue Award 3
Blue Award 3
Yellow Award 1
Yellow Award 1
Yellow Award 2
Yellow Award 2
Industry Session
Industry Session
In-person ONLY
In-person ONLY
Yellow Award 3
Yellow Award 3
Yellow Award 4
Yellow Award 4
Yellow Award 5
Yellow Award 5
Yellow Award 6
Yellow Award 6
Yellow Award 7
Yellow Award 7
Members ONLY
Members ONLY
Platinum Award
Platinum Award
Gold Award
Gold Award
Networking Session
Networking Session
Silver Award
Silver Award
Bronze Award
Bronze Award
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Separate Registration Required
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Poster Award
Poster Award
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On-Demand Recording

Paper Session

Early Life Stress, DNA Methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, and Oral Feeding Skill Development in Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study (PS1b)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Location: Orange D
Earn 0.25 Contact Hour(s)
RNC-NIC: 1
NNP-BC: 3
RNC-LRN: 2
C-ELBW: 7
NNIC: 20
Abstract Text: Background. Preterm infants experience early life stress due to the NICU environment, health conditions, caregiving interventions, and prolonged parental separation. Early life stress may modify DNA methylation of stress-response genes, particularly NR3C1 and HSD11B2. Such modification may impair neurobehavioral development and disrupt oral feeding skill development. The complex relationships among early life stress, DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, and oral feeding skill development in preterm infants are currently unknown.
Purpose. To explore the association between DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2 and infant characteristics, early life stress, and oral feeding skill development.
Method. A pilot longitudinal study was conducted with eleven preterm infants born between 26 to 34 weeks GA. Early life stress was assessed via the modified Neonatal Infant Stressor Scale. DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2 was sequenced from buccal cell DNA. Oral feeding skill development was evaluated via the Early Feeding Skill Assessment.
Results. Infants who experienced more acute and chronic stress during NICU hospitalization demonstrated higher DNA methylation at CpG 17 and 31 of the NR3C1 exon 1F, as well as CpG 4 and 28 of the HSD11B2 promoter. These infants exhibited less optimal oral feeding skill development, e.g., lower oral-motor function, engagement, and physiologic stability, and took longer to transition from first to full PO.
Conclusion. We enhance the understanding of a potential biobehavioral epigenetic mechanism, namely DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, that may play a critical role in the impact of early life stress on oral feeding skill development in preterm infants.

Needs Assessment and Presentation Description: Preterm infants experience early life stress due to the NICU environment, health conditions, caregiving interventions, and prolonged parental separation. Early life stress may modify DNA methylation of stress-response genes, particularly NR3C1 and HSD11B2. Such modification may impair neurobehavioral development and disrupt oral feeding skill development. The complex relationships among early life stress, DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, and oral feeding skill development in preterm infants are currently unknown. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the association between DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2 and infant characteristics, early life stress, and oral feeding skill development.

Learning Outcome(s):

At the conclusion of this presentation, the learner will be able to:
  1. The learner will enhance their understanding regarding early life stress in the NICU and how it may impact preterm infants' growth and development.
  2. The learner will understand the potential relationships among early life stress, DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, and oral feeding skill development in preterm infants.