Global burden of intellectual disability attributable to preterm birth from 1990 to 2021 and projections

This study comprehensively quantified intellectual disability (ID) global burden attributable to preterm birth, utilizing data from Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. In 2021, global prevalence declined with age, and males exhibited higher burden than females across nearly all age groups. Over the past three decades, prevalence of preterm birth-resulted ID increased. Substantial variation was observed across countries, socio-demographic index (SDI) levels, and severity categories. Higher burden was concentrated on low/middle-SDI countries, although the inequality has shown a slight decreasing trend. Population growth and aging emerged as major drivers of increasing burden. Projections suggest that by 2031, prevalence will decrease mainly among severe ID population, while a slight increase is expected among females with mild forms of ID. These results underscore the urgent need for targeted, equity-focused prevention and intervention strategies, especially in low/middle-SDI regions, to mitigate this growing public health concern.