The Liggins Institute in Auckland recently conducted a study on adults who were born prematurely and found some interesting results. The research showed that adults who were born preterm did not have statistically significant differences in diabetes, prediabetes, or dyslipidemia compared to adults born at term. In fact, they even had fewer cardiovascular events. However, the study did find that there was a higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure by the age of 50 among the preterm group.
Preterm birth, which occurs before 37 weeks gestation, affects about one in 10 births worldwide. While previous studies have shown that individuals born prematurely are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disorders like hypertension and stroke, this new research provides a more contemporary evaluation of the long-term health outcomes for preterm individuals.
The study, titled “Health Outcomes 50 Years After Preterm Birth in Participants of a Trial of Antenatal Betamethasone,” was published in Pediatrics. Researchers followed up with individuals who were originally part of a trial of antenatal betamethasone at the National Women’s Hospital in Auckland. The participants completed a health questionnaire and consented to a review of their administrative health data. The study looked at various clinical endpoints including hypertension, diabetes, prediabetes, dyslipidemia, and major adverse cardiovascular events.
The results of the study showed that while more than a third of preterm-born adults had reported high blood pressure, the overall risk of major adverse cardiovascular events was lower in this group compared to term-born individuals. Rates of diabetes, prediabetes, and dyslipidemia were not significantly different between the two groups. Additionally, respiratory outcomes were similar, and there were no significant differences in chronic kidney disease prevalence.
Mental health disorders were actually less common in preterm participants, and self-reported depression was lower in this group as well. Educational attainment and mortality after the first year of life did not show significant differences between preterm and term-born individuals.
Overall, the study suggests that not all individuals born preterm will experience worsened cardiovascular outcomes, especially those born at moderate gestation. These findings provide valuable insights into the long-term impacts of preterm birth in the era of antenatal corticosteroid use.
For more information, you can refer to the original study published 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).
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