A study of German adults born between 1969 and 2002 found that those born before the 29th week of pregnancy (very preterm) had a significantly higher risk of developing panic disorder later in life. It became clear. Panic disorder was found in 2% to 4% of people born after 29 weeks of gestation, compared with 14% of those born before then. This research Psychiatric Research Journal.
A typical human pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. However, some babies are born early. If a baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy, it is called a premature baby. Preterm birth can occur for a variety of reasons, including infections, problems with the placenta, and multiple (twins, triplets) pregnancies. Maternal health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and a history of preterm birth also increase the risk of preterm birth.
Babies born prematurely can face immediate health problems, such as breathing and feeding difficulties, due to underdeveloped organs. Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death. Around the world, 15 million babies are born prematurely each year, representing approximately 11% of all births. Thanks to modern medical technology, most premature babies survive, but premature birth carries long-term health risks, including developmental delays, learning difficulties, and vision and hearing problems, among others.
Study author Jonas Tesarz and his colleagues sought to find out whether people born prematurely are more likely to develop anxiety and panic disorders later in life than those born at term. . Previous research has shown that stress and parental deprivation during childhood are associated with later anxiety disorders, but immaturity also increases an individual’s risk of developing such disorders. There remained doubts as to whether The researchers hypothesized that people born prematurely may be more likely to develop panic disorder later in life due to the stress experienced at birth and the long-term intensive treatment required.
Researchers analyzed data from the Gutenberg Prematurity Study, conducted by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz University Medical Center in Germany. The study included 40,189 newborns born between 1969 and 2002, all of whom were adults (18–52 years) at the time of analysis. The researchers selected 427 participants from this group, prioritizing as many people born early as possible.
Researchers collected medical history data for each participant from university medical records. The presence of panic disorder was assessed using the panic module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Participants were classified according to their gestational age at birth as full-term (born at 37 or more weeks of gestation), moderately preterm (born between 33 and 36 weeks), and very preterm (born between 29 and 32 weeks). (born after 37 weeks of gestation) and very preterm (born after 37 weeks of gestation). until the 29th week of pregnancy). Women accounted for 57% of the participants.
Results showed that 18 participants (4.2%) met criteria for panic disorder. The prevalence of panic disorder was similar across all categories born after 29 weeks of gestation, ranging from 2% to 4%. However, for those born before 29 weeks, 14% had panic disorder.
Additionally, compared to participants without panic disorder, participants with panic disorder were more likely to be female, unemployed, and have lower levels of education. They also spent more time in intensive care units, spent more time in incubators, had higher levels of carbon dioxide in their blood after birth, and showed difficulty breathing and lung dysfunction. The association between being born before 29 weeks and panic disorder disappeared when the researchers took into account the time spent in intensive care.
“This study provides the first evidence that prematurity is associated with an increased risk of subsequent panic disorder.Individuals born at <29 weeks GA [before the 29th gestational week] “The prevalence was more than four times higher than in those born at term,” the study authors concluded. “Adjustment of postpartum ICU length” [intensive care unit] The stay eliminated the association between preterm birth and subsequent onset of panic disorder. This finding suggests that postnatal intensive care for preterm infants may be critical for their later mental health and points to specific risk factors for mental illness. ”
This study makes an important contribution to understanding how experiences immediately after birth influence mental health later in life. However, it should be noted that the number of participants with panic disorder was small, and the number of those born before 29 weeks of pregnancy was also small.
the study, “Impact of premature birth on the onset of panic disorder later in life – Results from the Gutenberg Prematurity Study (GPS)” is written by Jonas Tesartz, Alexander K. Schuster, Eva Mildenberger, Michael S. Ursitz, Mareike Ernst, Manfred Beutel, Michel Hermes, Bernhard Stofferns, and Fred Zepp. , Norbert Pfeiffer, and Achim Fiesz.
