Pediatric Buccal Epigenetic (PedBE) and Neonatal Epigenetic Estimator of Age (NEOage) Clocks: A Focus on Pediatric Oncology

The Pediatric Buccal Epigenetic (PedBE) and Neonatal Epigenetic Estimator of Age (NEOage) clocks provide a novel method for assessing the biological age of young individuals, enhancing our comprehension of their health and development. By analyzing DNA methylation patterns, these clocks identify risk factors for various health conditions and guide personalized interventions to promote optimal growth in children and infants. With ongoing research and validation, PedBE and NEOage could revolutionize pediatric and neonatal healthcare by facilitating early detection of age-related changes and targeted interventions to improve long-term outcomes. In pediatric oncology, PedBE is particularly promising for evaluating biological age in children with cancer, as it accurately estimates DNA methylation age in buccal cells, revealing the effects of cancer and its treatments on biological aging. Additionally, PedBE can detect DNA methylation changes associated with environmental exposures and childhood adversities, making it a valuable tool for studying the impact of cancer on the epigenetic age of pediatric patients. The NEOage clock, designed to predict gestational age in newborns, complements the PedBE clock, offering a comprehensive assessment of biological age from infancy to adolescence, which is vital for understanding pediatric oncology’s influence on aging. This paper examines the complexities of both clocks, highlighting their potential for accurately determining the age of children and infants through DNA methylation analysis.