Tiny Babies May Face Mental Health Problems Later

Extremely low birth weight babies may be at increased risk for mental health problems later in life, a new review suggests.

Tiny babies may face mental health problems later. Image credit: tasnimnews.com (CC BY 4.0)

Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, examined 41 studies conducted from 1990 to 2016. The studies included more than 2,700 extremely low birth weight babies (less than 1,000 grams, or just over 2 pounds) and more than 11,000 normal birth weight babies.

The extremely low birth weight babies had a higher risk for certain mental health problems. As children, they were more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and as teens they had a greater risk of ADHD and social problems.

Compared to adults who were born at a normal weight, those born at an extremely low weight had higher rates of anxiety and depression, and markedly lower levels of social functioning.

The study authors stressed that although they found a higher risk, many extremely low birth weight babies will not develop mental health problems later in life. Also, the study didn't find a cause-and-effect relationship, just an association.

These psychological difficulties most frequently involve attention, anxiety-related and social problems.

The apparent increased risk of mental health problems may be due to stress-triggered biological responses during infancy. (Tasnim News Agency)

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