Placental CpG methylation of HPA-axis genes is associated with cognitive impairment at age 10 among children born extremely preterm

- Placental CpG methylation in relation to cognition at age 10 was evaluated.
- Ten HPA axis-associated genes were associated with cognitive function.
- The transcriptional regulator MECP2 was enriched within the ten HPA axis genes.
- Placental CpG methylation in the context of fetal development is discussed.
- This study relates to the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis.