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The Effects of Preterm Infants on Society

The term "preterm infant" generally refers to infants born before the 37th week of their mother's pregnancy. Poor health, drug use and stress can a play a part in causing mothers to give birth prematurely. Preterm infants will likely need more medical attention than infants born at a later time. Preterm infants often face difficulties as they grow, as well.

  1. Financial Impact

    • Social service agencies, health insurers and others who pay for the health care of expectant mothers and newborns pay an especially high prices when it comes to caring for preterm infants. According to the University of Kentucky's health website UKHealthcare, "Direct health care costs to employers for a premature baby average $41,610, which is 15 times higher than the $2,830 for a healthy, full-term infant."

    Impact on Education

    • Preterm infants often require extra accommodation when they reach school age. A 2000 American Psychological Association article reported that researchers Jeremie R. Barlow and Lawrence Lewandowski of Syracuse University evaluated preterm infants now older than 10 and found that preterm children also needed more help with their educations.

    Adverse Effects on Parental Behavior

    • In 2006, The BBC News reported that a University of Warwick study found premature babies were "more likely to be abused or neglected." Preterm babies are more likely to have behavioral problems and learning disabilities, which, according to the researchers, might make the preterm infants "less easy to manage or less responsive."

    Loss of Productivity

    • Preterm infants often require a lot of attention and resources, and later in life they may have a difficult time making a living. Learning and behavioral disabilities can make it difficult for preterm infants to function in society, and such individuals may not be able to fully support themselves through employment. According to a 2008 Newsweek article, a New England Journal of Medicine study examining Norwegian babies born between 1967 and 1983 found "the preemies received disability pensions at more than six times the rate of the 37-week babies."

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