Premature Babies

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There is no doubt that over the past years there have been tremendous advances in the treatment of premature children. We also now have the chance to look at how well these premature babies do throughout childhood and into adulthood.

One of the newest reports comes from McMaster University in Canada where it was found that very premature babies tend to have a higher rate of being bullied as a child or as teenagers and what they have also discovered is that they had an increased risk of developing depression, anxiety and other mental health-related illnesses as adults.

Some of the highest risks were found in obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder. The authors stress this is an association—not necessarily a direct cause.