Preterm babies are three times more likely to be admitted to hospital for a mental health problem as an adult than normal term babies, according to a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry by researchers in the UK and Sweden.
About 1 in every 13 children born in the UK are classified as premature and this study shows that up to 6% of this population will go on to experience a serious mental health condition.
The cohort study is one of the largest ever published that explores the effects that birth complications have on mental health.
Researchers analysed data from the Swedish medical birth register by finding babies born between 1973 and 1985 who were still living in Sweden. They then reviewed hospital discharge records to see which people in the 1.3 million sample had been admitted to hospital for a mental health problem as an adult.
The researchers used hazard ratios (PDF definition) to explain how likely people were to experience future health problems.
Here’s what they found:
- Babies born <32 weeks had hazard ratios for hospitalisation of:
- 7.4 (95% confidence interval 2.7 to 20.6) for bipolar disorder
- 2.9 for depression (1.8 to 4.6)
- 2.5 for psychosis (1 to 6)
- 3.5 for eating disorders (1.3 to 9.6)
- Babies born 32-36 weeks had hazard ratios for hospitalisation of:
- 2.7 for bipolar disorder (1.6 to 4.5)
- 1.6 for psychosis (1.1 to 2.3)
- 1.3 for depression (1.1 to 1.7)
Lead author Chiara Nosarti said:
We believe that the increased risk of mental disorders in those born very prematurely can be explained by subtle changes in brain development.
The immature nervous system in those born prematurely is particularly vulnerable to neonatal brain injury resulting from birth complications.
The research team have recommended that children at risk should be screened for mental health problems when they reach the age of five. They also stress that a second stage of monitoring at a later age may help to identify problems in this population.
Link
Nosarti C, Reichenberg A, Murray RM, Cnattingius S, Lambe MP, Yin L et al. Preterm birth and psychiatric disorders in young adult life. Arch Gen Psych 2012; 69: 610-7.
I think a bald headline like that is not particularly helpful for people who were premature and interested/involved and reading this or being pregnant have known conditions and are expecting to deliver prematurely; this is why euphemism and flannel is not always bad!
I think also there is perhaps an underlying cause to both – a disposition to pre-eclampsia can possibly tie with mental illness vulnerabilities!? It would be interesting to see the causes separated out in further studies: I would guess influences of genetics and early trauma causing an impact in maternal/familial mental health and bonding relationships which could also turn into an intergenerational effect that is neuropsychiatric in nature – passed on psychological and physiological aspects like stress-response which can be further complicated or added to where there is possible likely additional cases of pre-eclampsia or other genetic re-occuring pregnancy difficulties.
Thanks for your comments Kathy.
We’re fortunate to have the full-text article available for free with this research:
http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1171951
I’d be interested to hear what headline you would have given it instead.
Cheers,
The Mental Elf
Here are the headlines for this piece of research from a number of newspapers and news websites:
Premature birth linked to worse mental health (BBC news)
Premature babies more likely to suffer mental disorders as adults … (Daily Telegraph)
Premature babies at increased risk of ill mental health in later life …
(Independent)
Premature babies ‘at higher risk of developing severe mental health problems as
adults’ (Daily Mail)
Premature Babies More Likely To Suffer From Mental Disorders Like Schizophrenia,
Depression And Bipolar Disorder (Huffington Post)
Any preferences or suggestions for doing it better?
Cheers,
The Mental Elf
Interesting given that I was born at 32 weeks, weighed 2 lbs and have a small head. I was led here by searching for clues as to causes of Borderline Personality Disorder. I’ve coped with rage issues, relationship problems and anxiety, breakdown and depression all my life and I’m over 60. I recently discovered that I match all the BPD criteria and i have a diagnosis appointment in 2 days. I’m finding understanding mental health disease and seeing causal factors helps.