Premature babies who weigh less than 1,000 grams at birth are less likely to abuse alcohol or drugs later, but they may have a higher risk of other psychiatric problems like depression, anxiety or ADHD, according to a new study published in Pediatrics. If their mothers were given steroids before they were born to speed lung development they were at an even greater risk of having other psychiatric disorders.
Researchers studied 84 adults born weighing less than 1,000 grams and 90 other adults born at normal weight. All were born in the province of Ontario between 1977 and 1982. This was a time in Canada when great progress was made in helping premature babies survive.
The very low birth-weight babies were almost three times less likely to develop and alcohol or substance use disorder. But they were 2.5 times more likely to develop the other psychiatric problems.
Those who received the life-saving steroids were nearly 4.5 times more likely to develop the psychiatric problems and were not protected from alcohol or substance abuse disorders.
Reasons unclear
“We’re not entirely certain (why this is),” says Dr. Ryan Van Lieshout, lead author of the study and a psychiatrist teaching at McMaster University in Ontario. He says it may have to do with the physiological stresses around being born at such a low birth weight or interventions to save the babies. Or it may be linked to experiences they encounter later, such as possible difficulties at school. Lieshout will study this question next.
ListenIn the meantime, he says the take home message is not that people should be overly concerned. Rather he says they should be aware of the higher risk of psychiatric difficulties for those born at a very low birth weight, and be prepared to refer them to treatment should they need it.
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