Preemies Experience Social Development Problems as They Age
Published at
iStock/Thinkstock(HELSINKI, Finland) — In addition to physical problems that children who were born prematurely might suffer, scientists say they may encounter certain psychological problems during their teen and young adult years.
In a study of people born prematurely during the 1980s, scientists at the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Helsinki, Finland, says that many of these grown preemies tend to see themselves as less attractive than other individuals.
Another roadblock to their social development, according to Dr. Tuija Mannisto, is that they also have a harder time being sexually intimate with a partner or else, delay having sexual relationships.
While these problems are not insignificant, Dr. Edward McCabe of the March of Dimes says they should also not be too alarming.
McCabe, who was not involved in the study, contends that preemies typically have more cautious personalities than people who were born full-term and that putting off sex isn’t necessarily bad.
He also maintains that there have been advancements in the treatment of preemies at intensive care units so that those born in more recent times may not have the same issues as the older generation.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.