Common mental disorders in young adults born late-preterm

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Medicine
• Developmental Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Previous research on mental health outcomes for late-preterm infants (34-36 weeks gestation) has yielded mixed results, often relying on national registers.
• This study investigates the association between late-preterm birth and common mental disorders in young adulthood using a diagnostic interview, examining risk trends with increasing gestational age.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if late-preterm birth is linked to an elevated risk of common mental disorders in young adulthood.
• To assess whether the risk of mental disorders decreases with increasing gestational age among preterm infants.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 800 young adults (mean age 25.3 years), born between 1985-1986, was assessed.
• Common mental disorders (mood, anxiety, substance use) in the past 12 months were diagnosed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Munich version).
• Gestational age was categorized into early-preterm (<34 weeks), late-preterm (34-36 weeks), term (37-41 weeks), and post-term (≥42 weeks).

Main Results:

• Individuals born late-preterm and at term exhibited similar risks for common mental disorders, including mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
• A significant trend showed a decreased risk of mental disorders with increasing gestational age.
• The overall trend was primarily driven by a higher risk observed in the early-preterm (<34 weeks) group.

Conclusions:

• Not all preterm births lead to an increased risk of common mental disorders in young adulthood; specifically, late-preterm infants do not appear to be at higher risk.
• Early-preterm birth (<34 weeks) is associated with a significantly higher risk for common mental disorders in young adulthood.
• Prevention and intervention resources should be prioritized for the earliest preterm births.