Preterm birth: long-term impact
Home  >  Going home and growing up  >  Preterm birth: long-term impact

The information on these pages explains how being born early may affect your baby later in life. Many babies in the NICU go on to have rich lives as children and adults. There may be medical and/or developmental conditions that require attention into childhood and/or adulthood. Understanding these potential medical issues can help you make sure that they get any care needed as well as ensure your child gets the right support through early childhood, school and the teenage years, all the way into adulthood. 

 

There are also social and emotional issues that preterm children may face as they grow up. These challenges can affect friendships, social skills, and mental health. Knowing these issues helps you support your preterm child in their social and emotional wellbeing throughout their lives.