Premature Babies Have Increased Heart Risk in Later Life

Babies that are born prematurely have a greater risk of heart disease later in their lives and also suffer from social problems, a new study conducted by American researchers reveals. Lead researcher Mary Sullivan and her colleagues studied the birth of infants at the Women and Infants Hospital for more than two decades and found that the highest resting blood pressure and poorest pulmonary function was among those who were born with very low birth weight.

Chronic health conditions among infants fitted with neurological implants increased by almost 30 percent while overall growth and physical health was poorer among those who were born premature.

“These findings are important for parents, nurses in the neo-natal intensive care units, teachers and staff in the schools, disability services offices in colleges and primary care providers”, Sullivan said.

Source-Medindia