title: [From preterm birth to adulthood].
abstract: Mortality among low birthweight infants has decreased and their neurological prognosis has improved over the recent decades. A major neurological impairment is, however, still found at preschool age in almost one fifth of those born with a birthweight of less than 1000 g. They often have difficulties in scholastic skills and become independent more slowly than their age-mates, but most of them will lead a normal adult life. They do, however, possess more risk factors of cardiovascular disease as compared with those born after a full-term pregnancy. In adult life these premature infants instead exhibit less high-risk behavior.
authors.affiliation: HUS:n lasten ja nuorten sairaala, neonatologian yksikkö, PL 800, 00029 HUS.
authors.forename: Kaija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mikkola
authors.forename: Viena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tommiska
authors.forename: Petteri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hovi
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kajantie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors