Are premature babies weak?…low risk of cardiovascular disease

It is common knowledge that premature babies have poor health compared to babies born full term. A study has emerged that overturns this perception.

According to the health media ‘Medical Express’, New Zealand’s ‘Liggins Institute’ is targeting people over 50 years of age among those enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of prenatal betamethasone at the National Women’s Hospital in Auckland. A follow-up investigation was conducted.

Premature birth occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy and accounts for one in 10 births worldwide. They were known to have a high risk of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and stroke. Early studies included few people who had reached middle age and were receiving care according to improved modern medicine.

The results showed that more than one-third of adults born prematurely had a higher incidence of hypertension (34.7% vs. 19.8%) but a lower overall risk of major cardiovascular disease (2.8% vs. 6.9%).

There was no significant difference in the incidence of diabetes, pre-diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Respiratory outcomes were generally similar, and no significant differences were observed in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease.

Mental health disorders were less common among adults born prematurely (38.2% vs. 52.9%). Self-reported depression was also lower in the preterm birth group. Educational achievement and mortality rates one year after birth were not significantly different.

This study was published in the journal ‘Pediatrics’ under the title ‘Health Outcomes 50 Years After Preterm Birth in Participants of a Trial of Antenatal Betamethasone’.