Quality of Life in Young Adulthood Is Similar for Those Born Prematurely

During the early months and years of life, premature babies face an increased risk of infection, have special nutritional needs, and are prone to a number of medical conditions. Once they reach school age and adolescence, children born too early may be at greater risk for behavioral and learning problems because of their premature birth. But how do former preemies fare once they reach young adulthood? Researchers from Liverpool Women's Hospital in the United Kingdom investigated the quality of life and long-term health of young adults born prematurely.

Beginning in the early 1980s, researchers followed 79 very low birth weight infants through childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood and compared them to a group of 71 infants born at a normal birth weight. At about 20 years of age, the young adults in the study were sent surveys with questions about their physical and mental health and their ability to function socially, at home, and at work. The survey also asked whether they had engaged in certain social activities, such as drinking or having sexual intercourse, in the past 3 months.

In general, the young adults who were born preterm had a similar quality of life to the young adults who were born at term. Young adults who had been preterm used less alcohol and fewer illegal drugs, but they smoked tobacco as often as young adults born at term. Preterm and term young adults had similar rates of sexual intercourse, but those who had been preterm had more children. Young adults who had been preterm were also more likely to use prescription medicines, were lighter and smaller than their peers, were less satisfied with their physical appearance, and were more likely to be living at home with their parents. In addition, young adults who were born prematurely were less likely to be enrolled in higher education. However, despite these differences, the young adults born preterm did not rate their quality of life as lower than their peers in most areas.

What This Means to You: Although there were some differences between young adults born prematurely and their full-term peers, most former preemies enjoyed a wide range of social activities. The results of this study can be reassuring for parents who worry about the social development of a child who was born prematurely. Talk to your child's doctor if you have any specific questions about your child's physical growth, emotional development, or school performance.

Source: R.W.I. Cooke; Archives of Disease in Childhood, March 2004

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: May 2004

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