Life-changing clues can be found.
A new study suggests that doctors might be able to assess a newborn’s future health by examining their umbilical cord blood. Researchers have found genetic markers in cord blood that could help identify which babies are more likely to develop conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and liver disease later in life. These findings will be presented at the upcoming Digestive Disease Week conference in San Diego.
“We are seeing metabolic health issues arise earlier in children, raising their risk for serious complications as they grow older,” said Dr. Ashley Jowell, an internal medicine resident at Duke University Health System, in a news release. “If we can detect these risks at birth, we might have an opportunity to intervene early.”
The study involved genetic testing on the cord blood of 38 children participating in a long-term study in North Carolina. Researchers analyzed the chemical changes in the children’s DNA—known as epigenetic modifications—that regulate whether certain genes are activated or silenced. Changes in key areas of DNA can have lasting effects on health from the prenatal period into adulthood.
By comparing the DNA markers found at birth with health assessments of the children between ages 7 and 12, the researchers discovered several connections. For instance, alterations in the TNS3 gene were associated with signs of fatty liver, liver inflammation, and increased abdominal fat. Other genetic modifications were linked to higher blood pressure, liver damage, and greater waist-to-hip ratios.
“These epigenetic patterns are established during fetal development and can be shaped by factors like a mother’s nutrition and overall health during pregnancy,” said Dr. Cynthia Moylan, associate professor in Duke’s division of gastroenterology.
While the study had a small sample size, researchers emphasized the strength of the associations they found. A larger study funded by the National Institutes of Health is already in progress to further explore these early findings.
“If confirmed in larger groups, this research could pave the way for new methods of early screening and intervention to help protect children at risk,” Moylan said.
Jowell added that even with these genetic markers, disease is not inevitable. “Being born with certain markers doesn’t guarantee health problems,” she said. “But identifying risks early can empower families and healthcare providers to take preventive actions that support better long-term health outcomes.”
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