Low birth weight may cause cognitive problems in adults

Adults with memory and attention problems may have been born with a very low birth weight, researchers suggest.

A study at the University of Helsinki claims that babies born with particularly low birth weight, common among premature children, are more likely to have cognitive problems when they become adults.

Dr Katri Raikkonen, author of the study, stated: "While we know babies born severely preterm generally achieve lower cognitive test scores, this is one of the first studies to look at how severely low birth weight impacts executive functioning."

Preterm babies are widely accepted to be at greater risk of brain injury and other health complications.

Research has suggested that inflammation in both the amniotic fluid and the baby's brain has a role to play in brain complications in premature babies.

Inflammation in the amniotic fluid and placenta, which is caused by bacteria, may trigger an early birth that leads to complications.

The multitude of research on the issue is said to reinforce the importance of a baby's full development in the womb.

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