# Epigenetic biomarkers of preeclampsia risk among mothers with chronic hypertension

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2024 · $73,127

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Preeclampsia (preE) is a potentially fatal complication of pregnancy that affects 2-8% of pregnancies
worldwide. Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. Interestingly, the incidence of preE
demonstrates a seasonal pattern, whereby summer months conception (in the Northern Hemisphere) is
associated with the highest rates of preE. In the Northern Hemisphere, summer months are associated with
hotter temperatures compared to the winter months. High ambient temperatures are associated with several
negative health outcomes. For example, high ambient temperatures have been linked to increased incidence of
acute cardiovascular disease and worsening chronic cardiovascular disease. Similarly, kidney function is
significantly negatively impacted by high ambient temperatures. Given the central role of cardiovascular and
renal systems in the pathophysiology of preE, the association between elevated ambient temperatures and
adverse maternal-fetal outcomes assumes particular significance in the context of preE. Advanced maternal age
is also a risk factor for preE. Like chronological age, there is evidence supporting an association between
epigenetic age acceleration and preE. Exhibition of epigenetic age acceleration has been strongly correlated
with age-related diseases but has been scarcely studied in preE. The goals of this project are to: 1) Test the
association between the number of high ambient heat days during the first trimester with preE status during
the current pregnancy and identify the critical threshold at which ambient heat during the first trimester
impacts preE and 2) Test the association between epigenetic age acceleration and preE status during the
current pregnancy; and among participants diagnosed with preE during the current pregnancy, explore
whether high ambient heat days modify the association between epigenetic age acceleration and preE. The
findings from this study will provide epidemiologic and environmental evidence about the additional risk heat
may play for preE among individuals already experiencing chronic hypertension. Additionally, this project will
add to our understanding of the relationship between preE and epigenetic age acceleration.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11097624
- **Project number:** 3R01HL155127-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Bertha Hidalgo
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $73,127
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2024-09-18 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11097624

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11097624, Epigenetic biomarkers of preeclampsia risk among mothers with chronic hypertension (3R01HL155127-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11097624. Licensed CC0.

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