Premature birth is linked to increased risk of chronic kidney disease into later life

Babies born at less than 37 weeks have a nearly twofold increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) from childhood into mid-adulthood, a new study suggests.1

The paper, published in The BMJ, found preterm and early term birth are strong risk factors for the development of CKD, with a threefold increased risk for those born at less than 28 weeks, and a small increased risk in those born before their due date but after 37 weeks.

Researchers said that the …