Women born prematurely are at greater risk of committing suicide

Women born 717 weeks prematurely are almost as likely to commit suicide as men in the general statistics.

Premature children born prematurely are more vulnerable to certain diseases.

They also have a higher risk of unexpected death from road traffic accidents, substance abuse and suicide in late adolescence.

Researchers analysed birth data and causes of death for nearly 37,000 people born prematurely in Norway , Sweden , Denmark and Finland .

The NTNU research team has shown that there is a correlation between premature birth and the risk of unexpected death.

They have also shown that premature born women are just as vulnerable as men when it comes to suicide.

The researchers analysed data from birth and cause-of-death registries for nearly seven million individuals aged 15 to 50 in Norway , Sweden , Finland and Denmark .

Premature birth is a risk factor that follows 6 per cent of the population throughout life.

Researchers hope to investigate the latest findings more thoroughly.

The current guidelines for the follow-up of premature infants are from 2007 and only apply to children up to the age of 5 years .