Preemies” Early-Life Medical Risk Tied to Worse Health at Age 35

FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Higher early-life medical risk among preterm infants is associated with increased occurrence of mental health disorders, cardiometabolic issues, and body composition differences compared with full-term peers at age 35 years, according to a study published online July 22 in JAMA Network Open.

Amy L. D”Agata, Ph.D., R.N., from the College of Nursing at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, and colleagues conducted a cohort study to examine how early-life medical risk factors are associated with psychological and physiological health in adulthood. The analysis included 158 preterm (born 1985 to 1989) and 55 full term-born adults at age 35 years.

The researchers found that higher medical risk severity was associated with increases in internalizing problems (β, 0.85), higher systolic blood pressure (β, 7.15), lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β, −13.07), higher triglycerides (β, 53.97), higher android-to-gynoid fat ratio (β, 0.22), and lower bone density (β, −1.14).

“In this cohort study, preterm individuals had higher early-life medical risk and faced increased mental health disorders, cardiometabolic issues, and body composition differences compared with full-term peers at age 35 years,” the authors write. “Despite strong evidence linking preterm birth to long-term health consequences, many primary care clinicians in the United States remain unaware of these risks, often due to infrequent birth history inquiries in adult health care settings.”

One author disclosed ties to the biotechnology industry.

Abstract/Full Text