The Public Health and Policy Implications of Epigenetics and Pediatric Health Research
Authors: Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, Kristie Trousdale, Cynthia F. Bearer, Rachel L. Miller
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2012)

Despite considerable attention to the field of epigenetic regulation in the scientific literature and its heightened profile at scientific conferences and workshops, the unique connections between epigenetics and pediatric environmental health have not been given specific focus in public meetings.The Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN) convened a research conference, The Contribution of Epigenetics in Pediatric Environmental Health, on 30 May-1 June 2012 in San Francisco, California, to address this increasingly important research.CEHN is a national nonprofit organization celebrating 20 years of vital work to protect the developing child from environmental hazards by promoting safer and healthier environments (CEHN 2012).The conference successfully fostered collaborations across various scientific disciplines to further the understanding of the role of epigenetic regulation in pediatric environmental health, identified research gaps, and explored the relationship of pediatric environmental exposures with epigenetic regulation.The conference also laid the groundwork for translating research findings on epigenetic regulation important to pediatric health outcomes and informing the scientific and public health community about this rapidly growing field.Key leaders in pediatric and epigenetic research presented their work and actively participated in discussions (see abstracts online; CEHN Research Conference 2012).Much of the research focused on DNA methylation, an important mechanism of environmental influence on gene expression.The scientists addressed important research parameters, including critical windows of exposure, possible differences in epigenetic profiles between boys and girls, and changes in epigenetic markers as children age.Their research covered a range of environmental exposures associated with adverse health effects in children, including alcohol, bisphenol A (BPA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, lead, organochlorines, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, secondhand smoke, and indoor allergens.Findings from a mix of animal and human subject studies generated stimulating discussions of how these exposures affect genes that code for inflammation, asthma, growth, obesity, cognitive development, hormone receptors, and tumor suppression, among others.Several researchers presented results from their work evaluating the role of nutrients such as choline and folate as modifiers of epigenetic changes with regard to specific environmental exposures such as alcohol or arsenic (CEHN Research Conference 2012).A total of 170 participants-scientists, health care workers, public policy advocates, and educators-participated in the conference.Young investigators were prominent, with 31 student and postdoctoral researchers in attendance.Three Junior Investigator Abstract Awards were presented for outstanding research in the areas of epigenetic effects of prenatal BPA exposure (Marija Kundakovic), DNA methylation and infant growth (Carolyn E. Banister), and epigenetic regulation after environmental intervention (Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir).