ArticleNursing research
Scoping Review of Early Toxic Stress and Epigenetic Alterations in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Article in Nursing research. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers.
What it found
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 19 citations in OpenAlex.
- Enhancing neonatal vascular access: proposing a patient-centered framework based on 7-Rights.Pediatric research · 2026Article
- DNA Methylation ofBiological research for nursing · 2026Article
- Enjoyment in Preterm Infants: Exploring Clinical and Research Perspectives in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.Neonatal network : NN · 2026Review
- Epigenetic investigation intoEpigenomics · 2026Article
- Neonatal unit (NU) Infant Medical Trauma and the lifelong implications for children and their families.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Review
- Epigenetic consequences of toxic stress in preterm infants and their mothers: protocol for the premature infants, moms, and the social determinants of health-an epigenetic investigation study.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2026Article
- Neurodevelopmental outcomes at five years in children born very preterm (24-31 weeks) exposed to opioids with or without midazolam: results from the French nationwide EPIPAGE-2 cohort study.The Lancet regional health. Europe · 2025Article
- Early life epigenetics and childhood outcomes: a scoping review.Pediatric research · 2025Article
- Early Life Stress, DNA Methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2 , and Oral Feeding Skill Development in Preterm Infants : A Pilot Study.Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses · 2025Article
- Validity and use of the Neonatal Infant Stressor Scale: An integrative review.Early human development · 2024Review
- Effect of music-based interventions on physiologic stability of hospitalized preterm infants. A pilot study.Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association · 2024Article
- Comparing conventional and modified Seldinger techniques using a micro-insertion kit for PICC placement in neonates: a retrospective cohort study.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 1 institution in 4 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPreterm infants are uniquely vulnerable to early toxic stress exposure while in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and also being at risk for suboptimal neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, the complex biological mechanisms responsible for variations in preterm infants' neurodevelopmental outcomes because of early toxic stress exposure in the NICU remain unknown. Innovative preterm behavioral epigenetics research offers a possible mechanism and describes how early toxic stress exposure may lead to epigenetic alterations, potentially affecting short- and long-term outcomes.
objectiveThe aim of this study was to review the relationships between early toxic stress exposures in the NICU and epigenetic alterations in preterm infants. The measurement of early toxic stress exposure in the NICU and effect of epigenetic alterations on neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants were also examined.
methodsWe conducted a scoping review of the literature published between January 2011 and December 2021 using databases PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrance Library, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Primary data-based research that examined epigenetics, stress, and preterm infants or NICU were included.
resultsA total of 13 articles from nine studies were included. DNA methylations of six specific genes were studied in relation to early toxic stress exposure in the NICU: SLC6A4, SLC6A3, OPRMI, NR3C1, HSD11B2, and PLAGL1. These genes are responsible for regulating serotonin, dopamine, and cortisol. Poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes were associated with alterations in DNA methylation of SLC6A4, NR3C1, and HSD11B2. Measurements of early toxic stress exposure in the NICU were inconsistent among the studies. DISCUSSION: Epigenetic alterations secondary to early toxic stress exposures in the NICU may be associated with future neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. Common data elements of toxic stress exposure in preterm infants are needed. Identification of the epigenome and mechanisms by which early toxic stress exposure leads to epigenetic alterations in this vulnerable population will provide evidence to design and test individualized intervention.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.