EWAS models in young children infected by COVID-19 or influenza A

The development of type 1 diabetes may be promoted by viral infection. Infections with COVID-19 showed changes in blood DNA methylation in adult patients. In this epigenome-wide association (EWAS) analysis, we evaluated whether young children at risk for type 1 diabetes showed alterations in blood DNA methylation after COVID-19 or influenza A (H1N1) infection. COVID-19 and influenza infection occurred prior to the DNA methylation sample in 81 and 74 children, respectively. Of these, infection occurred within 3 months of the DNA methylation sample (recent infection) in 43 and 22 children. All EWAS models were adjusted for age at DNA methylation, sex, technical variables, clinical site and six estimated blood cell types The EWAS summary statistics of the following models are provided: 1. EWAS with previous COVID-19 infection (all children with COVID-19 infection); 2. EWAS with recent COVID-19 infection (all children with COVID-19 infection < 3 months prior to DNA sample); 3. EWAS with previous influenza A infection (all children with influenza A infection); 4. EWAS with recent influenza A infection (all children with influenza A infection < 3 months prior to DNA sample). The children with respective infections were compared to the children without any of these infections prior to the DNA methylation sample.