In a study that included more than 600,000 individuals born in Sweden between 1973 and1979, those born prematurely (less than 37 weeks gestation) had a higher risk of death during early childhood and young adulthood than persons born at term, according to a study in the September 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"Although the early effects of preterm birth are well documented, less is known about the longer-term outcomes in adulthood. These outcomes have a growing clinical and public health importance because of the high prevalence of preterm birth and improved early survival," the authors wrote.
In the past three decades, the prevalence of preterm birth in the United States has increased to more than 12 percent.
"As a result, large numbers of individuals who were born preterm are now surviving to adulthood."
The researchers believe this is the first study to report the specific contribution of gestational age at birth on mortality in adulthood.
"The underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown but may involve a complex interplay of fetal and postnatal nutritional abnormalities; other intrauterine exposures, including glucocorticoid [a steroid hormone] and sex hormone alterations; and common genetic factors."
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