Preterm birth affects lifelong health

According to a study by Duke University scientists and Norwegian scientists, more than one million men and women, the health effects of serious and related premature birth both adulthood more than people previously thought.

According to Duke Medical Center researchers, premature births cause long-term health-related problems, including poor academic ability, low fertility, and future offspring. may also be born prematurely and have complications.

Preterm birth - born before 37 weeks of pregnancy - is a leading cause of death in children. The study provides evidence of short-term complications as well as the long-term disability that surviving premature babies suffer.

A premature baby (28 weeks old) gives her tiny hand to a nurse at the NICU. (Photo: iStockphoto / Christian Michael)

Dr Geeta Swamy, a maternal and fetal medical specialist at Duke, is the lead author of the study, saying: 'When babies are born premature, we tend to be interested in possibilities. more short-term complications occur. While the risk of complications is highest at the time the baby is in the hospital and the first year of life. These risks continue even when they grow up. The sooner the baby is born, the higher the risk. Babies born too early will follow them all their lives .

Working with colleagues at the Norwegian Public Health Institute, Swamy and fellow researchers at Duke investigated the national census book that included birth and death data to study the impact of premature birth to long-term viability, fertility and the ability of the next generation to appear premature birth. The census was conducted for 20 years from 1967 to 1988. Births usually occur in the 22nd week or after the 22nd to 37th weeks of pregnancy.

Research shows that boys born in weeks 22 to 27 have the highest early mortality. Fertility in men and women with preterm birth is significantly lower than those who are born full term days. Fertility also increases proportionately with gestational age. Women with premature births are also more likely to give birth to premature babies and the risk of their children having serious consequences is also higher. In these women the possibility of premature death or premature death is also higher.

The lower the gestational age, the lower the learning ability

According to Swamy, gestational age plays a very important role in general health status. Often, people still consider birth weight as the standard to assess whether a baby is healthy. However, Swamy believes that gestational age is an accurate standard.

Besides, she said the study also raises an important question about the long-term effectiveness of pre-and post-natal care.'The viability of premature babies is now improving as we have had pregnancy interventions and postpartum care. However, we may be increasing our viability but causing adverse effects on the overall health status and quality of life for a long time . '

Participating researchers include Dr. Truls Ostbye of Duke University Medical Center and Dr. Rolv Skjaerven of Bergen University - Norway.

JAMA Reference.2008; 299 [12]: 1429-1436.

In an essay included in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Melissa M. Adams (of RTI International) and Dr. Wanda D. Barfield (of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta) has commented on the conclusions of Swamy and colleagues.

'Currently doctors can bring a little optimism to families with premature babies. Swamy's findings have shown that the viability of premature babies can be improved when they mature. However, compared with adults of the same age who are born full term, the number of premature births is lower. These risks need to be seriously and carefully considered because most premature babies still have good health and fertility. This number is better in Norway than the United States, where the racist regime persists . '

'Because the risk of poor health that lasts for life can be increased in premature babies, patients need to inform their doctor about their preterm birth history. This information can help doctors identify and treat chronic diseases in children and adults. It is clear that census data on premature birth issues and its long-term consequences have provided legitimate health concerns about the health status of a nation in the future. '

Reference article: JAMA.2008; 299 [12]: 1477-1478