Preemies often have lower incomes later in life

Premature babies have more chronic diseases in adulthood
If babies are born with too little weight and very early, they are more likely to have low incomes and more chronic illness later in life. The researchers also found that sufferers often suffer from unemployment and generally have lower self-esteem.

Canadian scientists have now found out in a study that children who are born far too early and weigh too little have a greater risk than adults of earning less and more often suffering from chronic diseases. The McMaster University physicians published the results of their study in JAMA Pediatrics journal.

Preemies usually weigh too little at birth. But even in later life, premature babies seem to have some disadvantages. Researchers found that sufferers often suffer from chronic diseases and usually earn less in adulthood. (Image: Tobilander / fotolia.com)

Preemies have lower self-esteem but less drug and alcohol problems
The new study also found that premature babies with low weight are less likely to have relationships or have children. In addition, sufferers are often unemployed compared to children with normal birth weight, the authors explain. Such persons usually also have a lower self-esteem. Surprisingly, these people suffer less often from drug or alcohol problems, if they have reached adulthood, the experts add. The study included premature babies with extremely low birth weights (less than one kilogram). The study was published when the first group of study participants reached their 40th birthday, said lead author Professor Saroj Saigal from McMaster University in Ontario.

Previous research has shown that people with extremely low birth weight are generally shyer and less open-minded, say the scientists. In addition, such persons often have psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. Researchers are also planning to monitor premature babies in their 40s and 50s to see if there are any other problems as they get older. It must be ensured that the study participants receive the support they really need Saigal.

On average, preterm infants earned about $ 20,000 less per year than adults
The new study examined 189 adults born between 1977 and 1982. One hundred volunteers were prematurely born weighing less than a kilogram, the authors explain. The remaining 89 test persons were born weighing more than 2.5 kilograms. All subjects completed standardized questionnaires about their health, education, employment, social inclusion, sexuality and reproduction. More than half of each group were women. One-fifth of those who were born prematurely suffered from neurological impairment, say the experts. After the transition to adulthood, there were clear differences between premature babies and those born with a normal weight.

By the mid-20s, both groups had similar living conditions, from age 29 to age 36, the level of education, family living, and relationships with partners were still very similar, but fewer of the premature infants were full-time adults than adults, explain the physicians. On average, these people earned about $ 20,000 a year less compared to the other group.

It was also noticeable that half of the premature test subjects were not married or lived alone, the researchers report. For the other group, the value is only about one third. Of the preemies, about 20 percent had never intercourse, as opposed to two percent from the group of subjects with the normal birth weight, the authors explain. Neurological disabilities can explain some of the differences, but also differences in personality certainly play a crucial role, says dr. Saigal. (As)