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Observational Study
. 2021 Apr;180(4):1219-1228.
doi: 10.1007/s00431-020-03864-5. Epub 2020 Nov 7.

Reproductive risks in 35-year-old adults born very preterm and/or with very low birth weight: an observational study

Sylvia M van der Pal  1 , Sanne A van der Meulen  2 , Sophie M Welters  3 , Leonhard A Bakker  2 , Christianne J M de Groot  3 , Anton H van Kaam  4 , Erik G H W Verrips  2
Affiliations
Observational Study

Reproductive risks in 35-year-old adults born very preterm and/or with very low birth weight: an observational study

Sylvia M van der Pal et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Evidence suggests that increased survival over the last decades of very preterm (VPT; gestational age < 32 weeks)- and very low birth weight (VLBW; birth weight < 1500 g)-born infants is not matched by improved outcomes. The objective of our study was to evaluate the reproductive rate, fertility, and pregnancy complications in 35-year-old VPT/VLBW subjects. All Dutch VPT/VLBW infants born alive in 1983 and surviving until age 35 (n = 955) were eligible for a POPS-35 study. A total of 370 (39%) subjects completed a survey on reproductive rate, fertility problems, pregnancy complications, and perinatal outcomes of their offspring. We tested differences in these parameters between the VPT/VLBW subjects and their peers from Dutch national registries. POPS-35 participants had less children than their peers in the CBS registry. They reported more problems in conception and pregnancy complications, including a three times increased risk of hypertension during pregnancy.Conclusion: Reproduction is more problematic in 35-year olds born VPT/VLBW than in the general population, possibly mediated by an increased risk for hypertension, but their offspring have no elevated risk for preterm birth. What is known: At age 28, the Dutch national POPS cohort, born very preterm or with a very low birth in 1983, had lower reproductive rates than the general Dutch population (female 23% versus 32% and male 7% versus 22%). What is new: At age 35, the Dutch POPS cohort still had fewer children than the general Dutch population (female 56% versus 74% and male 40% versus 56%). Females in the POPS cohort had a higher risk of fertility problems and pregnancy complications than their peers in the Dutch national registries, but their offspring had no elevated risk for preterm birth.

Keywords: Preterm-born adults; Reproduction; Very low birth weight; Very preterm.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Sampling frame of the POPS-35 study
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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