Short babies suicidal... odd news

[transpao]

A long-term study in Sweden has shown a link between birth length and suicidal behavior in adulthood, with the suggestion that short babies (defined as those under 18.5 inches at birth) are at highest risk. Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm examined data on male births between 1973 and 1980 and at suicide attempts up until 1999 and concluded that fetal growth has significant effects on brain chemistry, even for short babies who grow into normal-size or tall adults. Birth weights were also correlated, though less strongly. No word on whether any other factors were taken into consideration -- the fact that short babies may have more often than not come from mothers with poor prenatal habits and that those habits may have carried over into parenting, or that they may have developed into adolescents who were bullied more frequently, or any other factors. That's why studies like this -- or at least articles about studies like this -- are ultimately so unsatisfying. Randy Newman was not available for comment.

http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2008/01/17/are-short-babies-suicidal/

I'd say it's true for me. and while I'm short I haven't really ever been picked on due to my height.

I don't exactly know what my mom's prenatal habits were but I'm pretty sure my birth length and weight had more to do with the fact that she was extremely ill during her pregnancy with me, and that I was forcefully removed at 27 weeks gestation.

Comments

[lai-lai-ranma.livejournal.com]

Meh, I was a big baby and tried to kill myself three times.

[paosparti.livejournal.com]

well two things about that:
1. were you tall or just big in a weight kinda way?
2. it doesn't actually say that large babies don't end up suicidal too, just that it has a stronger coronation to short underweight ones.

[lai-lai-ranma.livejournal.com]

23 1/2 inches and 8lbs, 6 ounces.

[paosparti.livejournal.com]

good grief you were a biggie. I was 2lbs 10oz (lost to 1lbs 14oz within a day or two) and I was 14in