Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
06:46

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19

Published on: July 5, 2022

Risk of diabetes among young adults born preterm in Sweden

Casey Crump1, Marilyn A Winkleby, Kristina Sundquist

  • 1Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA. kccrump@stanford.edu

Diabetes Care
|March 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth, including late preterm birth, is linked to a slightly higher risk of needing diabetes medication in young adulthood. This association highlights public health concerns due to rising preterm births and diabetes prevalence.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Endocrinology
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Previous research suggests a link between preterm birth and later-life diabetes, but results for late preterm births are inconsistent.
  • Existing studies often have limitations, such as excluding outpatient data or failing to assess risk across all gestational ages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between preterm birth and subsequent diabetes medication prescription in a large national cohort of young adults.
  • To specifically examine the risk associated with late preterm birth (gestational age 35-36 weeks).

Main Methods:

  • A national cohort study included 630,090 infants born in Sweden between 1973-1979.
  • Follow-up for diabetes medication prescription occurred from 2005-2009, covering ages 25.5-37.0 years.
  • Comprehensive medication data were sourced from all Swedish outpatient and inpatient pharmacies.

Main Results:

  • Individuals born preterm had modestly increased odds of receiving diabetes medication compared to those born full term (adjusted OR 1.13).
  • This increased risk was also observed for late preterm births (gestational age 35-36 weeks).
  • Specific medication use showed 1.5% of preterm births received insulin and/or oral diabetes medications versus 1.2% of full-term births.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm birth, encompassing late preterm birth, is associated with a modestly elevated risk of developing diabetes in young Swedish adults.
  • These findings are significant given the rising rates of preterm birth and the substantial burden of diabetes, especially when diagnosed early in life.
  • The study underscores the importance of long-term health monitoring for individuals born preterm.
Abstract

More Related Videos

An Assay to Detect Protection of the Retinal Vasculature from Diabetes-Related Death in Mice04:36

An Assay to Detect Protection of the Retinal Vasculature from Diabetes-Related Death in Mice

Published on: January 12, 2024

Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes07:22

Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes

Published on: March 7, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications01:15

Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications

For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is based on...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis01:25

Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in early stages.Clinical ManifestationsWhen symptoms appear, they include fatigue, blurred vision, pruritus, delayed wound healing, and recurrent infections, particularly candidal infections. Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the extremities. Classic hyperglycemia symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia—are less common. Most patients are overweight and frequently have associated hypertension...
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction01:12

Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The loss of insulin production impairs cellular glucose uptake, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia and necessitating lifelong insulin therapy.Autoimmune Destruction of β-CellsThe hallmark of type 1 diabetes is an...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...