Early medical risks from preterm birth linked to higher blood pressure and anxiety in adults
A new University of Rhode Island-led longitudinal study has found that the cumulative medical risks experienced by individuals born preterm significantly impact their physical and psychological health by mid-adulthood.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study titled “Psychological and Physical Health of a Preterm Birth Cohort at Age 35 Years” followed 213 individuals born between 1985 and 1989, including 158 preterm participants (born under 1,850 g) and 55 full-term controls. Researchers tracked the participants from birth to age 35, collecting data through clinical visits and home-based surveys. Assessments included biospecimens, imaging, and psychological self-reports.
Medical risk from birth to age 12 was measured using a composite index based on birth weight, gestational age, duration of oxygen therapy, and neurological and medical complications. At age 35, higher cumulative risk scores were linked to significant adult health challenges.
Key findings showed that each one-point rise in early medical risk corresponded to a 7-point increase in systolic blood pressure, a 13 mg/dL decrease in HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and a 54 mg/dL rise in triglycerides. Participants with higher risk scores also showed greater abdominal fat accumulation and reduced bone mineral density. Psychological assessments revealed more internalizing problems such as anxiety and depression.
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No significant associations were found with diastolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, HbA1c, or inflammatory markers, although higher childhood socioeconomic status (SES) was linked to lower levels of IL-6, an inflammatory cytokine. However, SES and social protection did not moderate most health outcomes.
The findings underscore the lasting effects of preterm birth and early medical complications on adult cardiometabolic and mental health. Despite improved survival rates since the 1980s, adult healthcare in the U.S. rarely considers birth history, potentially overlooking vital early-life risk factors.
Researchers advocate for long-term monitoring and preventive care tailored to individuals born preterm. As this population ages, integrating birth history into adult care could improve outcomes and reduce chronic disease burden.
Source: Medical Xpress