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Updated: May 9, 2025

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
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Socioeconomic outcomes in very preterm/very low birth weight adults: individual participant data meta-analysis

Yanlin Zhou1, Marina Mendonça1,2, Nicole Tsalacopoulos1,3,4

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.

Pediatric Research
|May 3, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Individuals born very preterm or with very low birth weight face adult socioeconomic disadvantages. Neurosensory impairments are the strongest risk factor, highlighting the need for improved neonatal care and support.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks) or very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500g) birth is linked to adult socioeconomic disadvantages.
  • Predictors of these long-term outcomes in VPT/VLBW individuals are not well understood.
  • This study investigates socioeconomic disparities and identifies neonatal and sociodemographic risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine socioeconomic disparities in adulthood for individuals born VPT/VLBW.
  • To identify neonatal and sociodemographic risk factors associated with these disparities.
  • To inform interventions aimed at mitigating long-term challenges.

Main Methods:

  • A meta-analysis of individual participant data from 11 international birth cohorts.
  • Inclusion of 1695 VPT/VLBW adults and 1620 term-born adults aged 18-30 years.
  • Analysis of socioeconomic outcomes including educational attainment, employment, and social benefit receipt.

Main Results:

  • VPT/VLBW adults showed lower educational attainment, reduced participation in education and paid work, and higher odds of receiving social benefits compared to term-borns.
  • These disparities persisted even after adjusting for covariates and were evident in individuals without neurosensory impairments (NSI).
  • NSI was the strongest risk factor, increasing social benefit receipt by 6.7-fold among VPT/VLBW adults. Other risks included medical complications, lower gestational age/birth weight, and sociodemographic factors.

Conclusions:

  • Neurosensory impairment is the primary driver of adult socioeconomic challenges for VPT/VLBW individuals.
  • Improved neonatal care to reduce NSI and targeted educational/social support are crucial for mitigating disparities.
  • Early NICU interventions and sustained educational support can improve long-term socioeconomic trajectories.
Abstract

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