Premature Boys With Extremely Low Birth Weight Age Quickly Compared to Full-Term Newborns, Study Reveals

Researchers from the McMaster University recently discovered that the genes of premature boys, or those extremely low birth weight babies, age more quickly than those full-term male babies.

Hundreds of key genes have caused their biological aging or senescence to accelerate at a faster rate, by activating some kind of chemical editing that is supposed to happen naturally over a period.

They published their study, "Extremely Low Birth Weight and Accelerated Biological Aging," in the journal Pediatrics on May 17.

Premature Boys Age Faster As Men

The researchers reported that premature boys aged more quickly and approximately 4.6 years older by their 30s than those who were born at the same time but have normal weight, CTV News reported.

However, the same difference was not found in ELBW female babies which confirms previous studies that show premature boys may be more sensitive to prenatal stress than premature females.

"Although it is unclear why accelerated biological aging is seen in the ELBW men, this suggests that prenatal exposures play an important role in aging," says physician and neuroscientist Ryan Van Lieshout to McMaster University's news release.

ELBW babies are those premature babies born weighing 2.2 pounds (less than 1 kg), which is a little less than one-third of the normal average weight for full-term babies. In this current study, participants were born between 1977 and 1982 that have been regularly followed u on by scientists since birth.

Biological age is a measurement of physical age that is based on biomarkers that can change due to lifestyle and other health factors. According to ScienceAlert, researchers used the epigenetic clock in measuring participants' biological age as there is no exact formula for computing it.

The epigenetic clock is a biochemical test that takes into account the methylation levels of the DNA and is thought to be a good indication of a person's biological age. It also detects risks of possible diseases before it even arises.

ALSO READ: Newborn C-Section Babies Should Drink Mother's Poop to Build Healthy Microbiota, Study

Monitoring the Health of Preterm Survivors

The researchers assessed the genes of 45 premature boys and 47 full-term boys who are now age 30 to 35 years old. They compared their biological age and found that men born prematurely age faster.

Lieshout said that their findings suggest that prenatal exposures play a critical role in the health of premature boys, although it might not be clear why accelerated aging is seen in ELBW men.

He added that their study highlights the need to monitor the health of preterm survivors across their lifespan and that further research is needed, Science Daily reported.

More so, it emphasizes the need to warn ELBW men and promote a healthy lifestyle and aging so they may proactively mitigate the health risks of an accelerated aging process.

That means promoting a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, proper sleep, and exercise, as well as stress management, cognitive stimulation, and the development of strong social networks.