NICU babies have higher risk of mental health problems in later life

Reviewed by James Ives, M.Psych. (Editor)Jan 28 2020

Children who spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at birth have a higher risk of mental health issues later, regardless of their birth weight, say McMaster University researchers.

The study examined the mental health of NICU graduates in childhood (four to 11 years) and adolescence (12 to 17 years), using data from parent and youth psychiatric interviews.

The research builds on previous studies that suggest extremely low birth weight babies who are admitted to the NICU are more likely to develop mental health issues during those years.

The results were published in Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Advancements in the medical care of patients admitted to the NICU have led to improved outcomes for infants and families, and the need for NICUs has increased in Canada and the U.S.

However, little has been known about the mental health of the broader population of NICU graduates, particularly as they enter late childhood and adolescence."

Ryan Van Lieshout, study senior author, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences at McMaster

The study used a provincially representative cohort from the 2014 Ontario Child Health Study, led at McMaster. Parents provided data on psychiatric disorders for 3,141 children aged four to 11 and in 2,379 adolescents aged 12 to 17. Additionally, 2,235 adolescents aged 12 to 17 completed the interview themselves

Children aged four to 11 who had a NICU admission were nearly twice as likely to have any mental disorder or have more than one mental illness. The risk of separation anxiety disorder, specific phobia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or oppositional defiant disorder also increased.

At the age of 12 to 17 years, NICU graduates remained at nearly twice the risk for developing any psychiatric problem, multiple psychiatric problems and oppositional defiant disorder as reported by adolescents and their parents.

"Existing follow-up guidelines of preterm infants suggest monitoring for mental health issues, and this study provides preliminary evidence that in the future it may be prudent to expand this to all infants who stay in a NICU regardless of birth weight status," said Van Lieshout.

Van Lieshout added that additional research and more data are needed to better understand potential causal factors, and further identify at-risk individuals.