Premature birth raises the risk of chronic kidney disease: Study

In a study published in the Journal of the BMJ, it was identified that preterm and early term birth are strong risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) from childhood into mid-adulthood.

By: ANI | | Published: May 3, 2019 10:38 am

Consuming liquorice can lead to miscarriage or early delivery ©Shutterstock

As part of a recent study, researchers have discovered links between premature birth and increased risk of chronic kidney disease. According to the study, preterm and early term birth are strong risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) from childhood into mid-adulthood. The researchers claim that given the high levels of preterm birth, and better survival into adulthood, these findings have important public health implications. Also Read - Pregnancy: Metal exposure may lead to preterm births and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women

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Preterm birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) interrupts kidney development and maturity during late-stage pregnancy, resulting in fewer nephrons forming (filters that remove waste and toxins from the body). Lower nephron number has been associated with the development of high blood pressure and progressive kidney disease later in life, but the long-term risks for adults who were born prematurely remain unclear. As part of the study, a team of researchers set out to investigate the relation between preterm birth and risk of CKD from childhood into mid-adulthood. Also Read - Early birth linked to 'greater risk of hospital visits during childhood'

Findings of the study published in the Journal of The BMJ. Using nationwide birth records, they analysed data for over 4 million single live births in Sweden during 1973-2014. Cases of CKD were then identified from nationwide hospital and clinic records through 2015 (maximum age 43 years).Overall, 4,305 (0.1 pc) of participants had a diagnosis of CKD, yielding an overall incidence rate of 4.95 per 100,000 person-years across all ages (0-43 years). After taking account of other factors that might be important, they found that preterm birth (less than 37 weeks) was associated with a nearly twofold increased risk of CKD into mid-adulthood (9.24 per 100,000 person-years).

Extremely preterm birth (less than 28 weeks) was associated with a threefold increased risk of CKD into mid-adulthood (13.33 per 100,000 person-years). A slightly increased risk (5.9 per 100,000 person-years) was seen even among those born at early term (37-38 weeks). The association between preterm birth and CKD was the strongest up to age 9 years, then weakened but remained increased at ages 10-19 years and 20-43 years.

These associations affected both males and females and did not seem to be related to shared genetic or environmental factors in families. This is an observational study, and as such, can`t establish cause, and the researchers acknowledge some limitations, such as a lack of detailed clinical data to validate CKD diagnoses and potential misclassification of CKD, especially beyond childhood.

However, the large sample size and long-term follow up prompt the researchers to conclude that preterm and early term births are strong risk factors for the development of CKD from childhood into mid-adulthood.

Published : May 3, 2019 10:38 am

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