Modern medicine has made it possible for more and more babies born early to survive a rocky beginning and the majority of them grow up to enjoy a healthy and prosperous adult life. A number of them, however, seem to be destined to a life plagued with problems that range from medical to social and economic woes as they mature into adulthood. Even preemies born without medical complications can face a hard time as an adult, according to an exhaustive study conducted by researchers in Norway who studied the lives of almost a million babies born between 1967 and 1983.

The research team, led by Dr. Dag Moster, a Haukeland University Hospital neonatologist and lead author of the study, found a high rate of cerebral palsy and mental retardation in children born before 40 weeks of gestation, or a full-term pregnancy. In addition to the need for medical disability assistance throughout their lives, these children are also at increased risk for employment issues and low earnings as adults and they are less likely to have children of their own.

Of the 900,000-plus babies followed, their births were categorized as follows:

• Born between weeks 23 and 27 of gestation – 1,822 babies
• Between 28 and 30 weeks – 2,805 babies
• Between 31 and 33 weeks – 7,424
• Between 34 and 36 weeks – approximately 33,000
• Born after 36 weeks – the remainder of the babies in the study

In a comparison of the babies born earliest, between weeks 23 and 27, and those born full term, the research revealed:

• Preemies faced a 9.1% risk of cerebral palsy while the full-term babies’ risk was only 0.1%
• Preemies were 4.4% more at risk for mental retardation versus 0.4% for those born full term.

Socioeconomic factors revealed in the adult lives of the earliest preemies include:

• 10.6% of them received some form of disability pension as an adult versus 1.7% of their full-term counterparts
• 10% less likely to graduate from high school
• 20% less likely to graduate from college
• 20% less likely to earn a high income
• 20% more likely to get Social Security benefits
• 20% less likely to become parents

The research team found no link between length of gestation and criminal behavior or unemployment in adulthood.

The study suggests the conclusion that parents of premature babies are needed as life-long advocates for the well-being of these children and should strive to keep the child’s healthcare team focused on the far-reaching implications of being born so early. Parents of these children are urged to take full advantage of any social or educational services available to their children in order to help them attain their highest potential of achievement in all aspects of life.

The New England Journal of Medicine carries the full story of the study in its July 17 issue.