Preterm Birth and Adult Wealth: Mathematics Skills Count

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Socioeconomic Studies

Background:

• Preterm birth affects 15 million babies annually worldwide.
• Adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes are associated with preterm birth.
• Mechanisms linking preterm birth to decreased adult wealth are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if academic abilities and educational qualifications mediate the relationship between preterm birth and adult wealth.
• To examine the long-term socioeconomic consequences of preterm birth.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from two British population-based birth cohorts (born 1958 and 1970).
• Analyzed associations between preterm birth, cognitive and academic abilities in childhood, educational qualifications in young adulthood, and wealth at age 42.

Main Results:

• Preterm birth was associated with significantly decreased wealth at 42 years of age.
• This association was mediated by lower intelligence, reading, and mathematics attainment in middle childhood.
• Reduced educational qualifications in young adulthood also mediated the link between preterm birth and adult wealth.
• Findings were consistent across both birth cohorts, suggesting time-invariant mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Academic abilities and educational attainment are key mediators linking preterm birth to lower adult wealth.
• Early academic support for preterm children may mitigate long-term socioeconomic disadvantages.
• Understanding these mediating factors is crucial for developing interventions to improve life outcomes for individuals born preterm.