Premature Birth May Raise Fibromyalgia Risk

NEWSBRIEF: A recently published study reveals what could be a link between premature birth and fibromyalgia, especially in women.

Researchers separated women with fibromyalgia into two groups - those who gestated for less than 38 weeks, and those who were carried for longer than 38 weeks. They say cortisol levels, which are known to be low in people with fibromyalgia, were consistently lower in participants with shorter gestation. In addition, 70% of the short-gestation group reported severe psychological stress (alone or combined with other factors) at the onset of fibromyalgia.

Their theory is that premature birth may contribute to problems with the adrenal cortex, especially in female babies. This leads to imbalances of stress mediators, which can affect brain function and result in enhanced responsiveness to stimuli that cause pain and fatigue, they say.

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