Trajectories of psychopathology in extremely low birth weight survivors from early adolescence to adulthood: a 20‐year longitudinal study

Background Individuals born extremely preterm are exposed to significant perinatal stresses that are associated with an increased risk of psychopathology. However, a paucity of longitudinal studies has prevented the empirical examination of long‐term, dynamic effects of perinatal adversity on mental health. Here, internalizing and externalizing problems from adolescence through adulthood were compared in individuals born at extremely low birth weight (ELBW; 2,500 g). Methods Internalizing and externalizing data were collected over 20 years in three waves, during adolescence, young adulthood, and adulthood. Growth models were used to compare longitudinal trajectories in a geographically based sample of 151 ELBW survivors and 137 NBW control participants born between 1977 and 1982 matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status at age 8. Results After adjusting for sex, socioeconomic and immigrant status, and family functioning, ELBW survivors failed to show the normative, age‐related decline in internalizing problems over time relative to their NBW peers (β = .21; p