How Does Low Birth Weight Affect You Later In Life?

People born weighing less than 1,500 grams tend to be shorter, have fewer friends and achieve fewer educational qualifications by the time they reach their 20s, finds a new study..

AsianScientist (Dec. 4, 2013) – People born weighing less than 1,500 grams (very low birth weight or VLBW) tend to be shorter, have fewer friends and achieve fewer educational qualifications than their peers by the time they reach their 20s, according to a study.

However VLBW babies score similarly at age 20 to their peers on a range of other measures of health and social functioning, despite previous research indicating they could be impaired by their small start in life.

The research study was led by Professor Brian Darlow from the University of Otago, Christchurch, who has studied all New Zealand VLBW infants born in 1986 since their birth. This study involved more than 200 VLBW people now aged 22 and 23. The results of the study are published in the Pediatrics journal.

Darlow says while VLBW participants do tend to be more socially isolated and achieve less academically, they were as happy with their quality of life as peers.

“This study is good news because it shows that, with some exceptions, these young people are doing pretty well despite serious hurdles early in life,” he said.

Darlow says there is clear evidence in their early years VLBW infants have increased rates of problems such as cognitive delay and emotional and behavioral issues. Data had emerged to show these problems could persist into adulthood. Before this study there were limited population-based or longitudinal studies to prove whether this was the case.

His study showed that VLBW babies, as young adults, were on average 5.6 kilograms lighter and 4.2 centimeters shorter than their peers. They are half as likely to have a tertiary qualification, and less likely to engage in romantic partner relationships (In the past year 59 percent of VLBW people versus 75 percent of the rest had a romantic partner). They are also almost a third more likely to have been welfare dependent.

The study found no significant differences between high school completion, involvement in paid employment and after tax income, close family relationships, quality of life and overall functioning.

The article can be found at: Darlow B et al. (2013) Psychosocial Outcomes of Young Adults Born Very Low Birth Weight.

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Source: University of Otago; Photo: Sam Pullara/Flickr/CC.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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