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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research

Mental health, quality of life and social relations in young adults born with low birth weight

Authors: Line K Lund, Torstein Vik, Stian Lydersen, Gro CC Løhaugen, Jon Skranes, Ann-Mari Brubakk, Marit S Indredavik

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Being born with low birth weight may have an impact on different aspects of mental health, psychosocial functioning and well-being; however results from studies in young adulthood have so far yielded mixed findings. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term impact in young adulthood on self-reported mental health, health-related quality of life, self-esteem and social relations by investigating differences between two low birth weight groups and a control group.

Methods

In a follow-up at 20 years of age, 43 preterm VLBW (birth weight ≤ 1500 g), 55 term SGA (birth weight < 10th percentile) and 74 control subjects completed the Adult Self-Report (ASR) of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment, the Adult Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Short Form 36 Health Survey, the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents-Revised, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligent Scale III assessment.

Results

The VLBW and SGA groups reported significantly more mental health problems than controls. The VLBW group predominantly had internalizing problems, and the non-significant association with ASR Total score was reduced by the Intelligence Quotient (IQ). The SGA group had increased scores on both internalizing and externalizing problems, and the association with ASR Total score remained significant after adjusting for IQ in this group. Both low birth weight groups reported less interaction with friends and lower quality of life related to mental health domains than controls. Self-esteem scores were lower than in the control group for athletic competence (VLBW) and social acceptance (SGA).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that self-reported mental health and well-being in young adulthood may be adversely affected by low birth weight, irrespective of whether this is the result of premature birth or being born SGA at term.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Mental health, quality of life and social relations in young adults born with low birth weight
Authors
Line K Lund
Torstein Vik
Stian Lydersen
Gro CC Løhaugen
Jon Skranes
Ann-Mari Brubakk
Marit S Indredavik
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-10-146

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