DNA Methylation of SLC6A4 and NR3C1 in Term and Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study of NICU-Associated Stress

Kathryn J. Malin, Yvette Conley, Aleigha Barry, Rosemary White-Traut, College of Nursing, Marquette University, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Genetics, s Wisconsin, Department of Nursing Reserach, s Wisconsin

Biological Research For Nursing: Integrating Biobehavioral Research into Health Care

Published online on October 14, 2025

Abstract

Biological Research For Nursing, Volume 28, Issue 2, Page 187-194, April 2026.
Background:Preterm infants requiring prolonged hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are often exposed to early-life stress, which may contribute to long-term health consequences. Epigenetic markers, particularly DNA methylation (...