A dults born very preterm (VP; <32 weeks of gestation) or at very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) have higher blood pressure than their peers born at term.1-10 A recent meta-analysis showed that VLBW or VP adults have on average 3.3 mm Hg higher systolic pressure than controls. 7 Another meta-analysis, including studies in adults born at any degree of prematurity, concluded that the mean difference between adults born preterm and controls was 4.2 mm Hg for systolic and 2.6 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. 8 These differences were more pronounced among women (systolic/diastolic 4.9/2.9 mm Hg) but clearly present among men as well (2.0/1.3 mm Hg). 8 These differences are considerable given that, at the population level, a 2 mm Hg reduction in diastolic pressure is estimated to result in a 7% to 14% reduction in mortality from ischemic heart disease and 9% to 19% from stroke with greatest reductions in the youngest age groups. 11Although these meta-analyses have been important in confirming the association between very preterm birth and adult blood pressure, they have, apart from sex, not been able to assess any other risk factors or protective factors for high blood pressure among adults born very preterm. This would be a crucial step in identifying underlying mechanisms, which then could serve as targets for prevention.The higher blood pressure among adults born VLBW/VP could arise from dissimilar conditions that lead to preterm birth or Abstract-Adults born preterm at very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) have higher blood pressure than those born at term.It is not known whether all VLBW adults are at risk or whether higher blood pressure could be attributed to some of the specific conditions underlying or accompanying preterm birth. To identify possible risk or protective factors, we combined individual-level data from 9 cohorts that measured blood pressure in young adults born at VLBW or with a more stringent birth weight criterion. In the absence of major heterogeneity, we performed linear regression analysis in our pooled sample of 1571 adults born at VLBW and 777 controls. Adults born at VLBW had 3.4 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 2.2-4.6) higher systolic and 2.1 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.0) higher diastolic pressure, with adjustment for age, sex, and cohort. The difference in systolic pressure was present in men (1.8 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-3.5) but was stronger in women (4.7 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, 3.2-6.3). Among the VLBW group, blood pressure was unrelated to gestational age, maternal smoking, multiple pregnancy, retinopathy of prematurity, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Blood pressure was higher than that of controls among VLBW adults unexposed to maternal preeclampsia. Among those exposed, it was even higher, especially if born appropriate for gestational age. In conclusion, although female sex and maternal preeclampsia are additional risk factors, the risk of higher blood pressure is not limited to any etiologic subgroup of VLBW adults, arguing for vigilance in...

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Both basic developmental care and NIDCAP had little effect on parental experiences during the first period at the neonatal unit. As a result of increased paternal stress, the NIDCAP intervention tended to decrease the difference in parental stress levels of fathers and mothers, possibly because of the increased involvement of father during the NIDCAP intervention.

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No associations between THoP and neurodevelopmental outcome at age 19 years were found.

Aim To establish differences in health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults born term and those born very preterm (VPT) and/or with a very low birth weight (VLBW). Methods Our systematic review is preregistered under PROSPERO‐ID CRD42018084005. Studies were eligible for inclusion if their authors had stated the HRQoL of adults (18 years or older) born VPT (<32 weeks of gestation) or VLBW (<1500 g of birth weight) had been measured, if written in English, and if they reported a comparison with a control group or valid norms. We searched Pubmed, Scopus, Psycinfo, Web of Science, Embase and contacted experts in this field. Non‐response and other bias‐related problems were evaluated. Results We included 18 studies of 15 unique cohorts from 11 countries. In 11 studies, no differences in HRQoL between VPT or VLBW and term‐born adults were found; four studies found lower HRQoL in VPT/VLB adults; and evidence from three studies was inconclusive. Disability, sex and age were associated with HRQoL. Conclusion There is no conclusive evidence that HRQoL differs between term‐born adults and those born VPT or with a VLBW. The comparability of studies was restricted by differences between HRQoL measurements, age ranges at assessment and definition of disability.

BackgroundIt is important to know the impact of Very Preterm (VP) birth or Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW). The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of adults born VP or with a VLBW, between age 19 and age 28.MethodsThe 1983 nationwide Dutch Project On Preterm and Small for gestational age infants (POPS) cohort of 1338 VP (gestational age <32 weeks) or VLBW (<1500 g) infants, was contacted to complete online questionnaires at age 28. In total, 33.8% of eligible participants completed the Health Utilities Index (HUI3), the London Handicap Scale (LHS) and the WHOQoL-BREF. Multiple imputation was applied to correct for missing data and non-response.ResultsThe mean HUI3 and LHS scores did not change significantly from age 19 to age 28. However, after multiple imputation, a significant, though not clinically relevant, increase of 0.02 on the overall HUI3 score was found. The mean HRQoL score measured with the HUI3 increased from 0.83 at age 19 to 0.85 at age 28. The lowest score on the WHOQoL was the psychological domain (74.4).ConclusionsOverall, no important changes in HRQoL between age 19 and age 28 were found in the POPS cohort. Psychological and emotional problems stand out, from which recommendation for interventions could be derived.

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