Being born with low birth weight is a risk factor for psychiatric morbidity. Few longitudinal studies have included diagnostic assessment and followed subjects into adulthood.
To assess stability and change in psychiatric morbidity between adolescence and young adulthood in low birth weight subjects, and explore whether screening in adolescence can predict subsequent psychopathology in these groups.
Prospective geographically based follow-up study of two low birth weight groups and a control group born between 1986 and 1988, assessed at 14 (T1) and 20 (T2) years of age.
Thirty eight subjects born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW: =1500g), 43 born at term but small for gestational age (SGA: