A recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE has shed light on the long-term impacts of preterm birth on individuals. The study, conducted by researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, followed over 2.4 million individuals born in Canada between 1990 and 1996 for more than two decades to analyze the effects of preterm birth on their economic and educational outcomes.
Preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, affects about 10% of all births worldwide and is a leading cause of neonatal mortality. The study found that individuals born preterm had, on average, lower employment income, were less likely to be employed, enroll in university, and graduate with a university degree compared to those born at term. These effects were more pronounced in individuals born at the earliest gestation, between 24-27 weeks.
After controlling for baseline characteristics such as parental demographics, the study revealed that preterm-born individuals had a $958 CAD (6%) lower annual income at ages 18 to 28. They were also 2.13% less likely to be employed, 17% less likely to enroll in university, and 16% less likely to graduate with a university degree. For those born at the earliest gestation, the differences were even more significant, with a $5,463 CAD (17%) lower annual income and a 45% decrease in rates of university enrollment and graduation.
Lead researcher Petros Pechlivanoglou emphasized the importance of long-term support for individuals born preterm beyond the neonatal period. He stated, “While clinical care during the neonatal period is critical, our findings suggest that the development of long-term supports including psychological, education, and vocational resources could help mitigate the longer-term effects of preterm birth.”
The study underscores the need for policymakers and society to recognize the socioeconomic impact of preterm birth, which can extend into early adulthood. Providing ongoing support and resources for individuals born preterm is crucial to ensuring equal opportunities for this population to thrive.
For more information, the full study titled “Association between preterm birth and economic and educational outcomes in adulthood: A population-based matched cohort study” can be found in the journal PLOS ONE. (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311895). This research highlights the importance of addressing the long-term consequences of preterm birth and the need for comprehensive support systems for affected individuals to achieve equal opportunities for success.
