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Psychiatric disorders in low birthweight young adults. Prevalence and association with assessments at 11 years

I B Elgen1, F Holsten, M D Odberg

  • 1Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway; Department of Pediatric, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway.

European Psychiatry : the Journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists
|September 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Young adults born with low birthweight (LBW) face a significantly higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders, with only half remaining mentally healthy through adolescence.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Low birthweight (LBW), defined as less than 2,000 grams, is a significant risk factor for adverse developmental outcomes.
  • Understanding the long-term mental health trajectories of individuals born with LBW is crucial for early intervention and support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the mental health status of young adults born with moderate low birthweight (LBW) to those born with normal birthweight (NBW).
  • To assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in LBW young adults and track their mental health throughout adolescence.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 136 young adults with moderate LBW and 132 with NBW.
  • Psychiatric assessments using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) at age 19 and Children Assessment Schedule (CAS) at age 11.

Main Results:

  • At 19 years, 32% of LBW young adults had a psychiatric disorder, compared to 10% of NBW individuals (OR: 2.8).
  • Common disorders in the LBW group included affective, anxiety, ADHD, and antisocial personality disorders; 20% had multiple diagnoses.
  • Only 56% of LBW individuals remained mentally healthy throughout adolescence, half the rate of controls.

Conclusions:

  • Moderate LBW is associated with a substantially increased risk of psychiatric disorders in young adulthood.
  • A significant proportion of LBW individuals experience mental health challenges during adolescence and young adulthood.
Abstract

Keywords:
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)Low birthweightMental healthPrematurityPsychiatric disorder

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