A recent cohort study led by the University of Rhode Island has shed light on the long-term effects of premature birth on adult health. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, followed 213 individuals from birth to age 35 to examine the impact of early life medical risk on adult psychological and physiological health outcomes.
Premature birth, affecting about one in 10 U.S. infants annually, has seen improved survival rates over the years. However, adult medical care often overlooks birth history, and most information on long-term outcomes for preterm individuals comes from international cohorts.
The study cohort included 158 adults born preterm and 55 full-term counterparts, all recruited from a neonatal intensive care unit in New England between 1985 and 1989. Data collection included clinical visits, at-home surveys, biospecimens, imaging, and psychological self-reports.
Researchers quantified medical risk from birth to age 12 using a composite index based on factors like birth weight, gestational age, oxygen therapy duration, and overall health status. Health outcomes at age 35 were assessed for blood pressure, lipid levels, body composition, and psychological function.
The study found that higher early life medical risk was associated with elevated systolic blood pressure, lower HDL cholesterol, higher triglycerides, abdominal fat accumulation, lower bone mineral density, and increased internalizing problems like anxiety and depression. However, no significant associations were found for diastolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, or inflammatory markers.
The findings emphasize that preterm birth and early medical complications can have lifelong health consequences, including mental health and cardiometabolic vulnerabilities. With no established guidelines for screening adults born preterm, tailored preventive care and long-term monitoring are essential as this population ages.
Written by Justin Jackson, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked by Robert Egan, this article underscores the importance of independent science journalism. If you value this reporting, consider supporting it through a donation for ad-free access. For more information, refer to the original study published in JAMA Network Open.
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