MedicMagic.Net

Premature babies are known to be vulnerable to the risk of various types of diseases. And based on a result of a recent study, it is indicated that premature babies are at high risk of serious psychiatric problems. Yes it is believed that being born premature will make the baby at risk of experiencing mental disorders.

“We found a strong relationship between preterm birth and other psychiatric disorders. However, it is important to remember that the increased risk of this disorder still only affects 1-6 percent of the population,” said Dr Chiara Nosarti, from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, according to The Telegraph.

If they are compared to babies who were born normally, these premature babies with a gestational age less than 32 weeks have three times more risks to suffer psychiatric problems when they get older later in their lives.

Besides that, premature babies also have a two times higher risk of developing skizofrebua and other forms of psychosis. Risk of bipolar disorder is also increased by more than seven-fold, whereas the risk of the possibility of severe depression and eating disorders reaches 2.9 to 3.5 times higher.

Premature babies are also more vulnerable to developmental problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavior disorder and autism.

These risks even eyes premature infants with gestational ages between 32-36 weeks, although not as much as the risk in premature infants aged 32 weeks.

Research shows that premature infants aged 32-36 weeks have the opportunity to increase 1.6 times the risk of psychosis, 2.7 times for bipolar disorder and  1.3 times of serious depression.

The researchers believe that the increased risk of psychiatric disorders later life in premature infants is caused by premature birth where the initial development of a child’s brain is not perfect.

“We believe that the increased risk of mental disorders in children born very prematurely due to a change in brain development. Nervous system is not yet completely finished by the time they were born, so they are highly susceptible to neonatal brain injury as a result of birth complications,” added Dr Nosarti.

Nowadays it is known that the occurance of premature birth had increased in number. It is thought that urban pollution increases premature birth. It is also known that teenage pregnancy could cause premature birth.