Babies with low weight could have health issues if not addressed properly. Now a study finds a new issue with low weight babies. Low weight babies could have mental issues later on as well.
Extreme low weight for babies is already a risk for physical health issues. Psychological issues might also arise for babies born with extremely low weights. This has been the finding of lead author Karen Matthewson, Ph.D. from McMaster University.
Babies with extremely low weights have better survival rates now than in the past. This is because of advances in medical technology and neonatal care. Extremely low weight is said to be those that are born at only 1,000 grams, or around almost 2 pounds.
Matthewson has used data from 41 studies that followed 2,712 low weight babies. Her study also followed 11,127 babies that have normal weight. The studies used were taken from 1990-2016 and involved countries which included the US and Canada.
In her study, Matthewson has found that babies with extremely low weights were more likely at risk with mental health issues. These issues would persist from birth until the person is at least 30 years in age. Some of these mental health issues might include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other social issues. Those who have been born with extremely low weight have experiences of anxiety, depression and other social issues, according to the American Psychological Association's site.
Matthewson has noted that even though many have survived and grown from low birth weight, many of them would not develop mental disorders. Moderate effects of low birth weight would still be noticeable for them until adult life though, as Science Daily notes. These moderate effects might be social issues such as being shy.
Care for people who had low birth weight is needed, as stressed by Matthewson. Proper treatment is needed for babies who have low birth weight so as to help them to adjust later in life. Low weight babies could have mental issues later on. A study has shown that brain cells are affected by nicotine.
