Socioeconomic outcomes in very preterm/very low birth weight adults: individual participant data meta-analysis

作者：Yanlin Zhou, Marina Mendonça, Nicole Tsalacopoulos, Peter Bartmann, Brian A. Darlow, Sarah Harris, L. John Horwood, Lianne J. Woodward, Peter J. Anderson, Lex W. Doyle, Jeanie L.Y. Cheong, Eero Kajantie, Marjaana Tikanmäki, Samantha Johnson, Neil Marlow, Chiara Nosarti, Marit S. Indredavik, Kari Anne I. Evensen, Katri Räikkönen, Kati Heinonen, Sylvia van der Pal, Dieter Wolke · 发表于：Pediatric Research · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1038/s41390-025-04082-1 · 被引用次数：8 · 研究领域：Infant Development and Preterm Care、Birth, Development, and Health、Preterm Birth and Chorioamnionitis

BACKGROUND: Very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks) or very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) birth is associated with socioeconomic disadvantages in adulthood; however, the predictors of these outcomes remain underexplored. This study examined socioeconomic disparities and identified neonatal and sociodemographic risk factors among VPT/VLBW individuals. METHODS: A one-stage individual participant data meta-analysis was conducted using 11 birth cohorts from eight countries, comprising 1695 VPT/VLBW and 1620 term-born adults aged 18-30 years. RESULTS: VPT/VLBW adults had lower odds of higher educational attainment (0.40[0.26-0.59]), remaining in education (0.63[0.47-0.84]) or paid work (0.76[0.59-0.97]), and higher odds of receiving social benefits (3.93[2.63-5.68]) than term-borns. Disparities in education and social benefits persisted after adjusting for age, sex, and maternal education, even among those without neurosensory impairments (NSI). Among VPT/VLBW adults, NSI significantly impacted all socioeconomic outcomes, increasing the odds of receiving social benefits 6.7-fold. Additional risk factors included medical complications, lower gestational age and birth weight, lower maternal education, younger maternal age, and non-white ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: NSI is the strongest risk factor for adulthood socioeconomic challenges in the VPT/VLBW population. Mitigating these disparities may require improved neonatal care to reduce NSI prevalence and targeted social and educational support ...