A new study is challenging the stereotype that premature babies are inherently weak. Premature infants, also called preterm babies, are born between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation. The condition is more common than many realize, with one in ten newborns arriving preterm. Classification hinges on gestational age, though newborns weighing less than 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) at birth are considered low birth weight.
Most low birth-weight infants are preterm. Compared to full-term newborns, they’re more vulnerable to diseases, often requiring neonatal intensive care to protect against infections and ensure proper nutrition.
In a surprising twist, research shows adults born prematurely have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. This finding comes from New Zealand’s Liggins Institute, which tracked individuals over 50 who participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of prenatal beta Meta at Auckland’s National Women’s Hospital.
The study also revealed that adults born preterm are less likely to develop depression. However, no significant differences were found in rates of diabetes, prediabetes, or dyslipidemia. The prevalence of respiratory and chronic kidney disease also showed no major variations.
In related news, experts argue there’s no single cause for autism spectrum disorder. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that autism diagnosis rates have surged from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 36 today. Experts attribute this rise primarily to increased awareness and broadened diagnostic criteria.
While over 100 genes have been linked to autism, various environmental factors contribute, making it impossible to pinpoint a single cause for the condition.
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