Methylome analyses by Infinium MethylationEPIC assay from umbilical cord and placenta samples of mothers with or without obesity before pregnancy and mothers with and without gestational obesity

Maternal obesity before and during pregnancy may have an effect on the offspring outcomes. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, might mediate this association by causing changes in gene expression. The study tried to find epigenetic marks in umbilical cord and placenta samples related to unfavourable outcomes in the offspring that could be used as biomarkers. Bisulphite converted DNA from the 12 placental samples and 12 umbilical cord samples of mothers with or without obesity before pregnancy and mothers with and without gestational obesity were hybridised to the Infinium Human DNA Methylation EPIC 850K.