Being born prematurely would be harmful to metabolic and endocrine health during childhood. This is the conclusion of researchers from the Ben-Gurion University of Negev in Israel in a study published in American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. They analyzed the health data of 171,000 full-term children and 54,000 premature babies between 1991 and 2013. More specifically, they looked at hospitalizations that occurred during their childhood until they reached majority and their reason. Hospitalizations for metabolic or endocrine disorders (regarding hormones) such as diabetes, obesity, hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia or hypothyroidism are indeed more frequent in children born before 39 weeks compared to those born after. this threshold. The effect is seen especially in children over five years of age.
Risks for the mother
Researchers observe that premature babies are more prone to type 1 diabetes, overweight, obesity, and related diseases. Their life expectancy would also be shortened. For the mother, giving birth to a child before term represents an increased risk of hypertension and gestational diabetes. Births also take place more often by caesarean section, with a lower baby weight on average. Full-term infants are, on the contrary, less likely to be born with a low weight (less than 2.5 kilograms).
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