Persistence of preterm birth impacts

A new study on families with children who survived very preterm birth reveals longer-term impacts – not only for survivors, but also on family health and functioning.

This is especially relevant as very preterm birth rates are increasing and associated respiratory morbidities, such as chronic lung disease, are not decreasing.

Compared to children born full-term, children born very preterm are more likely to be re-hospitalized, require inhalation therapy, acquire wheezing disorders and experience altered lung function trajectories well into childhood. Researchers also learned that the resulting increased burden and psychological strains on parents lead to lower health-related quality of life.

“This finding highlights the need for appropriate monitoring and support for families of survivors of very premature birth,” write the authors.

Read their full findings, published in the European Journal of Pediatrics (‘Respiratory morbidity in preschool and school-age children born very preterm and its association with parents’ health-related quality of life and family functioning’).

We are proud to support this research, through Professor and Dr. of Medicine Giancarlo Natalucci, Director of the Larsson-Rosenquist Centre for Neurodevelopment, Growth and Nutrition of the Newborn, Department of Neonatology, University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich.

Interested in keeping current on this and related news? Sign up for our newsletter!