Premature birth associated lifelong challenges, including higher risks of illness-related death, road accidents, substance abuse, and suicide, especially among women, revealed in a Nordic study led by Professor Kari Risnes at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
The study analysed the birth data and causes of death for nearly 37,000 individuals aged 15 to 50, who were born prematurely across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. One finding surprised the researcher: women born prematurely are much more likely to die by suicide than those born at full term.
Higher risk of suicide for women born prematurely
The study reveals that prematurely born women have a nearly 80% higher risk of committing suicide compared to individuals born at full term. The researchers find no such elevated suicide risk in prematurely born men. Women born 7–17 weeks prematurely are almost as likely to commit suicide as men in the general statistics.
Suicide is a serious problem in society. Most suicides are committed by men, and it is the leading cause of death among young men in Norway, Europe and around the world.
“We don’t know why premature women now turn out to be at almost the same level,” said Risnes, an expert in paediatric epidemiology at NTNU.
“Prematurely born individuals, regardless of gender are more vulnerable to certain diseases. Some struggle mentally and socially, and experience other challenges as well,” said Risnes.
The researcher characterizes these vulnerabilities as extra baggage that they carry with them throughout their lives, while many people who are born prematurely perform incredibly well.
Study confirm that Premature babies are more vulnerable
Premature babies are those born before week 37 of a full-term pregnancy, which lasts 40 weeks. Most babies born prematurely today survive. Survival rates are higher than 80% even for babies born before week 28 of pregnancy, which is more than three months early. And that’s a lot more than a few decades ago.
“Survival rates have really increased, but some people born prematurely require more follow-up, and they need everyone around them to understand that they might experience challenges,” said Risnes.
Previous studies have shown that prematurely born individuals are more vulnerable to heart disease, chronic pulmonary conditions, diabetes, and mental disorders. These vulnerabilities may stem partly from lower cognitive functions, which encompass decision-making, memory, and behavioral regulation.
Unnatural deaths and gender differences
The risk of death is generally low for children and young people. It is the sudden, violent deaths from road traffic accidents, suicide and substance abuse that claim the most young lives, even though all of these are avoidable. A large portion of the extra mortality observed in young males can be explained by these external causes of death, which are three times more common in men than in women.
“The day we saw these girls right up here at the top of the graphs together with the boys, I must say, we were very surprised. We checked and double checked to make sure, so we are confident the findings are reliable”, said Risnes.
While the reasons remain unclear, this revelation highlights the need for further investigation into the specific vulnerabilities of prematurely born girls.
Differences among the Nordic countries
The study highlighted differences among the Nordic countries regarding prematurely born individuals. For example, young Swedish women born preterm exhibit suicide rates comparable to those of men. In contrast, Denmark shows lower suicide rates among preterm individuals, with Danish men’s rates being similar to those of women in Sweden, Finland, and Norway.
Prematurely born Finnish men, however, are more susceptible to fatal road traffic accidents and deaths related to substance abuse.
These variations highlight the potential influence of cultural, healthcare, or societal factors on the outcomes of individuals born prematurely.
Identifying connections and overcoming challenges
Early detection and support are crucial for prematurely born individuals, who often go unnoticed by healthcare systems. Researcher Risnes urges updated follow-up guidelines, as Norway’s current policy covers only up to age five. Challenges frequently arise later, especially during school years, when parental support needs are highest.
Risnes acknowledges the risk of stigma but stresses the importance of understanding premature birth vulnerabilities to foster acceptance of individual differences. She hopes the research highlights everyone’s unique strengths and challenges, promoting societal understanding. The study offers crucial insights into the long-term impacts of premature birth.
