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Mood, anxiety disorders not linked to very preterm birth

But fewer very preterm-born adults had a romantic partner and were more withdrawn socially, which can increase risk for mood and anxiety disorders.

By Amy Wallace
A recent study has found that very preterm or very low birth weight babies are not at an increased risk of developing anxiety or mood disorders in adulthood. File photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI
A recent study has found that very preterm or very low birth weight babies are not at an increased risk of developing anxiety or mood disorders in adulthood. File photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo

July 27 (UPI) -- Researchers at the University of Tennessee found very preterm or very low-weight babies were not at a higher risk of developing mood, anxiety disorders.

The study, published July 27 in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, followed nearly 400 individuals from birth to adulthood, with assessments at age 6, 8 and 26.

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Half of the study participants were born very preterm -- before 32 weeks or at very low birth weight of less than 3.3 pounds. The remaining half of participants were born at term and had normal birth weights.

"Previous research has reported increased risks for anxiety and mood disorders, but these studies were based on small samples and did not include repeated assessments for over 20 years," Julia Jaekel, assistant professor of child and family studies at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, said in a press release.

Researchers found that at age 6, children born very preterm were not at an increased risk for anxiety or mood disorders, however, by age 8, more children had anxiety disorder after they had started school.

At age 26, there was slightly more mood disorders like depression but the findings were not significant between the preterm or low birth weight-born adults and the full term-born adults.

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The study also found that fewer very preterm-born adults had a romantic partner and were more socially withdrawn compared to full-term birth adults.

"Adults without support from romantic partners are at increased risk to develop anxiety and mood disorders," said Wolke. "Social support is important to prevent anxiety or mood disorders."

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