The Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto (ISPUP) launched “HAPP-e: Health of Adult People born Preterm – an e-cohort pilot study” to study the health and quality of life of adults born preterm worldwide, using digital tools.

Adults with a history of preterm birth represent a growing share of the population. Evidence shows that the majority of preterm infants adapt extremely well during the transition into adulthood. However, a significant part remains at higher risk for neurologic, behavioural and personality disorders, as well as metabolic and cardiovascular problems, when compared with term-born adults.

This project aims to study the consequences of preterm birth in later life and produce scientific evidence that will lead to better health policies and outcomes for this generation of adults born preterm and the ones to come. The e-cohort takes advantage of digital tools to recruit participants worldwide and follow them up online and reach diverse and geographically disperse populations that would not voice in traditional studies.

At this stage, given the global scope of the project, the questionnaire is available in Portuguese, English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. ISPUP and EFCNI are now inviting all adults born preterm to participate in the study by accessing https://happ-e.inesctec.pt/.

Additionally, parents and organizations can help by sharing the project within their networks and mailing lists, as well as on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also contact happe@ispup.up.pt

The RECAP-preterm project is receiving funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 733280. This website reflects only the authors’ view and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.