Long-Term Prognosis of Preterm-Born Adults

Abstract

Many adults born very preterm are healthy and well. However, very preterm birth may be regarded as a “chronic condition” with a higher risk of long-term morbidities that warrant attention or follow-up in adult life, and the degree of maturity at birth should be routinely assessed by health care professionals. Morbidities seen more frequently in very preterm born adults include somatic (lung function, cardio­respiratory fitness, and hypertension), cognitive, behavioral, and motor problems. Apart from these “classic outcome parameters,” compared to term-born adults, those born very preterm are less likely to acquire a higher educational qualification, they receive more often social benefits, and they have more often periods of unemployment. They show less risk-taking behavior, are less likely to partner, and less likely to have children of their own. In contrast, little is known about resilience or protective factors that may reduce adverse outcomes.