Premature Babies at Higher Risk of Blood Clots

Interesting information concerning blood clots according to a Swedish report today via HealthDay. It was reported that “the more premature babies are, the higher the risk (of clots),” said Dr. Edward McCabe, chief medical officer of the March of Dimes. A full-term pregnancy lasts from 39 to 40 weeks.

There is an increased chance of blood clots due to the link between premature babies growing up into childhood and young adulthood according to findings published online July 28 in the journal Pediatrics. The study involved 3.5 million babies born in Sweden between 1973 and 2008 with almost 207,000 born preterm. Out of all the births, only about 7,500 children — 0.2 percent — suffered either deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism later in life.

Boys had an increased risk of blood clots in infancy, while girls were more likely to carry the risk into adolescence and adulthood, the study authors reported. The mother’s wellness and lifestyle also play a role in a baby’s lifelong health, and could influence their risk of blood clots.

“If a patient has a history of preterm birth, and the more preterm, the more attention it needs to have,” Dr. McCabe said. “It helps us be better prepared. If a patient comes in with unusual findings, this provides us some clue.”

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