Blogging for Prematurity AwarenessA recent study which is set to be published in the January 2009 issue of Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology has shown that low birth weight babies (those born weighing less than 5.5 pounds) have an increased risk for a type of chronic kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. This condition causes scarring of the filtering portions of the kidney, called the glomeruli. People with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis can leak protein into their urine because of poor kidney function.

Prior to this study, low birth weight due to prematurity or intrauterine growth restriction had already been linked to multiple adult medical problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes and type II diabetes.  Not to mention reduced fertility, lower educational potential and an increased risk of having their own children too soon.

Researchers theorize that since babies don’t form new nephrons in their kidneys after birth, those born with under developed kidneys because of preterm delivery have an increased risk of future kidney disease. This makes sense, and I’m thinking that the large numbers of medications that a preemie’s immature kidneys are forced to process probably don’t help the situation either.

While this study is very small, it is important, because birth history isn’t always discussed when an adult visits their physician. Doctors don’t always ask, and patients aren’t apt to bring it up on their own if they believe their prematurity related medical problems are only a part of their distant past.  Hopefully this study will at least put the impact of preterm birth on the radar of more physicianss who care for adults.