Premature Births Increases Chances Of Developing Asthma, Wheezing Disorders By Three Times In Newborns

Premature babies are at higher risks of facing health issues and require frequent hospitalization. A recent study reveals premature birth aggravates chances of long-term respiratory problems in children.

 A systematic reviewed study jointly conducted by the researchers at Maastricht University Medical Centre, Netherlands, University of Edinburgh, UK and Harvard Medical School, US, led by  Jasper Been, reveals that premature babies are more susceptible to asthma and wheezing disorders. More specifically, the babies born before 37 weeks have higher chances of developing asthma and wheezing disorders during childhood compared to full term newborns.

The study says babies born before 32 weeks of gestation have three times higher risk of developing asthma and wheezing disorders.

The researchers have based their findings on the data collected from 30 unique studies on the effects of preterm birth that approximately involved 1.5 million children from six continents. The children were followed from six months up to 18 years.

In the U.S. one in every eight babies born is premature, according to a recent CDC report.

Premature babies are usually born with underdeveloped lungs that make them more vulnerable to respiratory infections, which in turn can damage the lungs tissue and cause acute respiratory problems, according to the National Jewish Hospital, reports Livescience.

According to the researchers, the current study is important because of the increasing number of preterm births reported worldwide. About 11 percent of the babies born worldwide are premature.

 "There is compelling evidence that preterm birth -- particularly very preterm birth increases the risk of asthma," said the researchers in a press release. "Given the projected global increases in children surviving preterm births, research now needs to focus on understanding underlying mechanisms, and then to translate these insights into the development of preventive interventions."

The researchers disagree with earlier studies stating that wheezing disorders associated with preterm births lessen with age. The authors emphasize these problems persist throughout the course of life. Had there been no preterm births childhood wheezing disorders would have declined by 3.1 percent in recent years, reveals the study published in the latest issue of PLOS Medicine.

The researchers also recommend quitting smoking, substance use, and to follow a proper diet with the recommended vitamins during pregnancy to prevent preterm births, reports medical daily.

The research included babies from the developed (high-income) countries. Hence, further interventions are required to observe similar trends in middle and low income countries, stated the researchers.