Another article I just read:

Do underweight newborns become shy adults?

Wed, Jul 9, 2008 (HealthDay News) — Being born extremely underweight may be a risk factor for a shy, cautious personality as an adult.

A study published in the July issue of Pediatrics finds that young adults who were born at extremely low birth weights were more likely to be shy, cautious and risk-averse than their counterparts who had been born at normal weights.

And that shy personality style may increase the odds of loneliness and decrease the odds of emotional well-being, heightening the risk for emotional problems, said the Canadian study authors.

But the finding between low birth weight and a retiring personality doesn't necessarily imply a cause-and-effect relationship.

"We were showing that there are these differences that seem to exist between these two groups," said Louis A. Schmidt, lead author of the study and a professor of psychology, neuroscience and behavior at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. "That gives us room to say, 'Hey, there are different ways in which to become shy, one of which is early-life events.'"

Schmidt stressed, however, that researchers can't yet point to an actual cause-and-effect relationship.

"They [the study authors] didn't address why the children have low birth weight," said Dr. Jane Ripperger-Suhler, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and a psychiatrist with Scott & White Mental Health Center in Temple, Texas. "They missed an opportunity to be really clear. Just because you were tiny at birth does not mean you are going to be anxious. There is something that ties those together."

Previous research has found that children born with extremely low birth weights have a higher risk of learning disabilities and emotional problems, including neuroticism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and a tendency toward caution.

Relatively little research, however, has looked at whether these issues persist into adulthood.

The authors of the new study looked at 71 young adults who had been born extremely underweight, as well as 83 young adults who had been normal weight at birth.

Specifically, the researchers assessed four components of personality: temperament (shyness and sociability, neuroticism and extraversion), motivation (behavioral inhibition and behavioral activation), cognitive and affective (self-esteem, loneliness) and socialization.

The adults who had been extremely underweight at birth reported being shyer, having more behavioral inhibition, lower sociability, higher risk-aversion and a greater tendency to follow social convention. The results were the same for both men and women.

There were also differences within the extremely-low-birth-weight group, with lower birth weight linked to more shyness, behavioral inhibition and loneliness, among other traits.

But the study authors did provide one note of caution: The adults who had been born extremely underweight in this group also had similar relationships with peers, partners and family as the normal-birth-weight group.
-- Amanda Gardner

What you can do:

• If you have a child who was born early or at a very low birth weight, make sure you keep your well-child appointments and discuss any concerns with your doctor.



I took Chase home from the hospital at 5 lb 10 oz. (but he weighed 6 lb 6 oz at birth) Wonder what they consider extremely underweight? Probably 5 lb and under perhaps. He is shy around strangers for now...but I really don't think this kid is going to have a shy personality as an adult based on his antics once he's comfortable around someone!

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Stacey (38)
DH Steve (38)
DS Chase 2-13-07

Interesting article!

I seem to remember the NICU saying Jack was classified as low birth weight (he was 3 lb 2 oz). And extremely low birth weight is less than 2 lb 3 oz.

I wonder if Jack will grow up with these tendencies. I don't mind the shy part, but the low self-esteem and loneliness part bothers me. He does seem a little shy around strangers, but I think that's normal because once he becomes comfortable with people he's very extraverted.

We've been taking him to preemie development checkups every 6 months or so and they have really been impressed with his social, gross and fine motor skills. The only thing we are watching right now is his language skills, but I'm not too worried about that yet, just keeping our eye on it.

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Elise



It's a GIRL!

Oh wow, that IS extremely low! Hard to imagine Jack being that little now, isn't it? He looks so big and strong! He's come a long way from his early appearance and his NICU stay.

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Stacey (38)
DH Steve (38)
DS Chase 2-13-07

Well my girlfriend had her babies two months early. One was 1lb 15oz adn the other was 1lb 2oz. Let me tell you these girls are far from shy and they talk way more then Xandra does. It is awesome to see this when they were told that they may develope slower or later. Well they may be two months behind on a few things but they are smart cookies. I think it also helps that they have lots of help from Mommy, Daddy, friends and family. Plus Mommy and Daddy have a specialist that comes into there home once a week to work on there delays. I think that is so awesome.

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Interesting..... m Mary Elizabeth was 7 lbs, 4 oz, and Megan was 4 lbs 15 oz. So far, Megan is quiet and sweet, and Mary Elizabeth, well, err, uh, let's just say she is the opposite. ME also started speaking words at 4 1/2 months and sentences before she turned 1. In fact, the girl does not keep quiet. Megan's "words" are still not entirely discernible.....but she can do the sign of the cross. Guess that's one of the "perks" of being with my MIL all day long.

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