A recent study conducted by the Liggins Institute in Auckland has shed light on the long-term health outcomes of adults who were born preterm. The research found that individuals born preterm did not show statistically significant differences in diabetes, prediabetes, or dyslipidemia when compared to those born at term. Interestingly, the preterm group had fewer cardiovascular events, but a higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure by the age of 50.
Preterm birth, which occurs before 37 weeks gestation, affects approximately one in 10 births globally. While previous studies have linked preterm birth to an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders in adulthood, this research sought to provide a contemporary evaluation of potential age-related health risks for individuals born preterm.
The study, titled “Health Outcomes 50 Years After Preterm Birth in Participants of a Trial of Antenatal Betamethasone,” was published in Pediatrics. The researchers conducted a follow-up of individuals who were originally enrolled in a trial of antenatal betamethasone at the National Women’s Hospital in Auckland. Participants completed a health questionnaire and consented to a review of their administrative health data.
The results revealed that more than one-third of adults born preterm reported higher rates of high blood pressure compared to those born at term. However, the overall risk of major adverse cardiovascular events was lower in the preterm group. Rates of diabetes, prediabetes, and dyslipidemia did not differ significantly between the two groups. Additionally, respiratory outcomes were similar, and there was no significant variance in chronic kidney disease prevalence.
Interestingly, mental health disorders were less common in preterm participants, with lower rates of self-reported depression. Educational attainment and mortality after the first year of life did not show significant differences between the preterm and term-born groups.
Overall, the study suggests that not all individuals born preterm experience worsened cardiovascular outcomes. Particularly for those born at moderate gestation, the long-term impacts of preterm birth may not be as severe as previously thought. These findings provide valuable insights into the health outcomes of individuals born preterm in the era of antenatal corticosteroid use.
For more information on this study, you can refer to the publication in Pediatrics titled “Health Outcomes 50 Years After Preterm Birth in Participants of a Trial of Antenatal Betamethasone” by Anthony G. B. Walters et al. (DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-066929).
[Citation: How does being born preterm affect long-term health? (2024, December 23) retrieved 23 December 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-born-preterm-affect-term-health.html]
