The association becomes even stronger for babies born to parents already susceptible to allergies, researchers cautioned.
To determine if Caesarean plays a role in boosting the risk of allergies or asthma, the researchers monitored 2,917 children, of which 247 were born through caesarean. They were followed until the age of eight.
During follow-up, 12 percent or 362 were diagnosed with asthma. Ranging from mild to severe attacks, the children were put on prescribed inhaler steroids.
A closer look revealed that 9 percent of those afflicted with asthma were born through C-sections wherein an incision is made in the mother's abdomen
define to deliver baby.
Furthermore, the offspring whose either one or both parents were allergic had an even greater likelihood of being allergic or asthmatic if they were born by through C-section, researchers noted.
During vaginal delivery as the baby passes through the birth canal he’s exposed to the mother's bacteria – an important taint that helps prime the immune systemdefine after birth. On the contrary, babies born though Caesareans are not exposed to such microbes, thus perking up their risk of future infections, researchers explained.
Asthma is the most common pediatric chronic illness involving the respiratory system afflicting 1 in every 4 urban children. Characterized by typical symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness, a chronic infection may prove life-threatening.
In a time where a part of the C-sections are elective rather than on demand, the researchers called for a ‘need of being informed’. C-section rates have soared from 5 percent in the 1970s to over 30 percent in 2000.
"In this situation the mother should be informed of the risk of asthma for her child, especially when the parents have a history of allergy or asthma," study’s lead researcher, Dr Caroline Roduit, at the Children's Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland, emphasized.
The findings appear in the current issue of the journal Thorax.
Post new comment