Babies born prematurely, meaning before 37 weeks’ gestation, have on average lower educational attainment and employment income by age 28, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, led by of Greek origin, researcher at “The Hospital for Sick Children”, in Toronto, Canada and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, Petros Pehlivanoglou.

The research team analyzed the births of 2.4 million children in Canada during a six-year period (1990-1996) and followed these children for more than two decades (until 2018).

As he found out, the premature births and the related ones cognitive, developmental and physical effects of prematurity are associated with lower employment income, limited university enrollment and lower educational attainment by age 28.

The results of the research in detail

According to the survey results, the average income of people born prematurely were 6% lower at the ages of 18-28 compared to people born at term.

Also, those born prematurely had 2.13% less likely to work, 17% less likely to enroll in university and 16% less likely to graduate with a university degree.

For those born even earlier, at 24-27 weeks’ gestation, these associations were even stronger: 17% lower annual income and 45% lower college enrollment and graduation rates.

As Mr. Pehlivanoglou notes, “while clinical care during the neonatal period is critical, our findings suggest that the development of long-term support (including psychological, educational, and professional resources) that goes beyond clinical care may help mitigate long-term effects of preterm birth. Policy makers and society as a whole need to recognize that the socio-economic impact of preterm birth can extend into early adulthood and that considerations of continued support could be vital to ensure that this population has equal opportunities to thrive.”