By examining all live births in Canada over a six-year span and tracking children for over twenty years, researchers uncovered that preterm births and their associated effects on cognitive development and physical health correlate with lower income, job prospects, and college enrollment.
According to a new study set to be published on November 6, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, authored by Petros Pechlivanoglou from The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, individuals born prematurely (before 37 weeks of gestation) tend to have reduced employment earnings, lower university enrollment rates, and decreased educational success by the age of 28.
Preterm births occur in approximately 10% of all deliveries globally and are responsible for one in five childhood fatalities. A family’s financial stability and lifestyle choices can significantly influence their access to necessary therapies, support, and overall quality of life.
While numerous studies have assessed the immediate clinical outcomes of preterm births, few have tracked these individuals over extended periods to explore the long-term socioeconomic consequences.
In this recent investigation, Pechlivanoglou and his team analyzed data from 2.4 million individuals born in Canada between 1990 and 1996, with comprehensive information regarding their birth details and subsequent employment and education records available until 2018.
The findings revealed that, even after accounting for factors like parental backgrounds, individuals born prematurely earned an average of $958 CAD (6%) less annually between the ages of 18 and 28 compared to their full-term counterparts. Additionally, those born prematurely were 2.13% less likely to be employed, 17% less likely to enroll in university, and 16% less likely to obtain a university degree. Among those born at the earliest gestation (24-27 weeks), these trends were even more pronounced, with annual income dropping by $5,463 CAD (17%) and a 45% reduction in university enrollment and graduation rates.
Pechlivanoglou emphasizes, “Although clinical care during the neonatal phase is crucial, our results indicate that developing long-term supports—such as psychological, educational, and vocational assistance—that extend beyond immediate clinical care may help lessen the lasting impacts of preterm birth. It is vital for policymakers and society to acknowledge that the socioeconomic ramifications of preterm birth can persist into early adulthood, and that ongoing support is essential to provide equal opportunities for this population to succeed.”
