Study shows Premature babies are not significantly different from full term babies later in life

Filed in archive Health on February 10, 2006

[photo source: FrontLine]

A new study conducted by a researcher at McMaster University shows no significant difference between prematurely born babies and full-term babies in young adulthood and adulthood. This study compared educational attainment, study and work roles, independant living, marriage and parenthood between 166 low birth weight children and 145 "normal" birth weight children.

The children/adults were compared at age 8, as teenagers and again between the ages of 22 and 25. No significant differences between the two groups was found which is surprising since about 25% of prematurely born babies experience difficulties in childhood while only 2% of full-term babies experience difficulties.

For a more detailed look at this study see the February 8th, 2006 issue of the Journal of American Medical Association.

via Creative Reporter,
by Andrew Benson, a student of Earth and Environmental Science. Currently his research involves sedimentary geology and contaminant geochemistry.