C-Section Birth Raises Risk of Asthma in Newborns by 79 Perc

[happygirlmichelle]

I found this article really interesting and a bit disconcerting as I have one c-section baby.

It is interesting how the method of a child's birth can affect gene expression! It is called epigenetics. I always marvel at how people don't realize that the foods that we put into our bodies thoroughly affect gene experssion (not to mention general health). Now even such things as birth method are being implicated. If you read on in the article it also mentions the risk of diabetes also going up by 30%.

This just tells me that it is important for me to be extra careful with my c-section child's diet to further reduce any increased risks.

Here is the article:


(NaturalNews) Children delivered by cesarean section (c-section) are significantly more likely to develop asthma and allergies later in life than children delivered through natural, vaginal birth, according to a study conducted by researchers from National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in Bilthoven, the Netherlands.

A c-section is a procedure in which a child is surgically removed through a mother's abdomen, rather than emerging naturally through the vaginal opening. It is medically recommended only in cases where vaginal delivery would seriously endanger the life of infant or mother, but is becoming more common as many women's preferred method of childbirth.

Researchers compared the rates of asthma and allergies among 2,917 eight-year-olds, comparing the rates between those who had been delivered vaginally and those who had been delivered by c-section. They found that the risk of asthma was 79 percent higher in those delivered by c-section compared with those delivered vaginally. The correlation between c-section and asthma risk was even higher among children born to one or more parents with allergies.

"Our results emphasize the importance of gene-environment interactions on the development of asthma in children," the researchers wrote. "The increased rate of cesarean section is partly due to maternal demand without medical reason. 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."

C-section is already known to raise a child's risk of diabetes by 20 percent, compared with vaginal delivery. In spite of this known health risk, rates of the procedure have been steadily rising in the United States over the last 25 years, increasing by 46 percent since 1985 to a current level of more than 30 percent of all births.

Childhood asthma rates have also been on the rise, particularly among urban populations, with rates increasing by two to four times in the last 30 years in some countries.

Sources for this story include: http://www.reuters.com.

[LP]

Wow!

[Brigette]

As some of you know I have been doing extensive research for a project. I have found a million articles that the research has been done to slightly sway the way they want it too. Articles on parenting that neglect to mention the horrendous lack of fathers in the study. Research papers like this make me question the areas of the study, pollution, ect.

On that note, my DD has been classified as one of the worst asthmatics in BC. She's had 114 hospitalizations before her 13th birthday. 6 helijets to Vancouver sick kids, 3 intubations, and I can't recall how many times she's in ICU. She got pertussis at 14 and almost died, spent 2 weeks in ICU in Van (we were told to prepare) All of this related to asthma. And she was a totally healthy vaginal birth. She never had junk food as an infant and still developed terrible asthma.

I guess my point is, it's nice to be aware but there are a million other factors involved as well. Like genetics; does asthma and allergies run in your family? Pollution in your area? ect.

Curious what others think?

[Benjorsam]

As some of you know I have been doing extensive research for a project. I have found a million articles that the research has been done to slightly sway the way they want it too. Articles on parenting that neglect to mention the horrendous lack of fathers in the study. Research papers like this make me question the areas of the study, pollution, ect.

On that note, my DD has been classified as one of the worst asthmatics in BC. She's had 114 hospitalizations before her 13th birthday. 6 helijets to Vancouver sick kids, 3 intubations, and I can't recall how many times she's in ICU. She got pertussis at 14 and almost died, spent 2 weeks in ICU in Van (we were told to prepare) All of this related to asthma. And she was a totally healthy vaginal birth. She never had junk food as an infant and still developed terrible asthma.

I guess my point is, it's nice to be aware but there are a million other factors involved as well. Like genetics; does asthma and allergies run in your family? Pollution in your area? ect.

Curious what others think?

I agree. I have three kids all delivered by c-section and none have allergies or athsma. I have asthma which I got from living in a house with two parents who smoked like chimnies. I know that when babies are born via c-section they can initially have some breathing problems due to the fact that secretions in the lungs are not squeezed out as they would be during a vaginal birth. And I'm not dismissing the study entirely as there are some valid points but I know just as many kids with asthma and allergies who were born vaginally as were born via c-section. So in my own circle of friends and aquantances this study is not accurate.

[mommyx7]

and i delivered all natural and have 3 with asthma and alergies and my gestational diabeties baby is lactose intolerant and all with vag. deliveries

[happygirlmichelle]

I guess that is why it is a correlation and not a 100% guarantee.

[MLM]

My DD was a vaginal birth, no drugs, and she was breastfed til she was 9 months and weaned herself. No asthma, no allergies.

My DS, who is now almost 5, was a c-section due to complications and because of complications AFTER the c-section he was only able to be bottle fed. Now he has bad asthma that has caused multiple hospitalizations, he has allergies that thankfully are easily managed as they are foods that are easy to avoid.

I've had guilt issues with the way his birth went and the fact that I couldn't breastfeed him......and have been told multiple times that those events led to his current health issues.

[it's only me]

All three of my children were born by c-section and as of yet, no asthma but milk protein allergies, thus far, for first ds.

I was born by c-section and yes, I have asthma and allergies

ETA: My brother, also c-section and yes, asthma and allergies.

Interesting to see if my kids end up with asthma.

Oh, what I also find interesting. My brother and I are the only ones in my family, both my mother's side and father's side, to have ASTHMA, but there are numerous types of allergies throughout the extended families.

It is also interesting to think about the existence of smoking in those families.
My mom and dad both came from families where the parents smoked and yet, no asthma for either of them.

My parents never smoked and asthma for myself and my brother.

Just thought cigarette smoke might be something else to consider in the study.

[jessie_2009]

I can't stand these types of studies. There is so much more to it. For example, perhaps women who have c sections already have health problems that are passed on, for example Asthma. I had a c section, my baby was 3 months prematures, and I didn't BF. Oh I am also took morphine when pregnant for my back pain. As well as many asthma meds. I guess technically I did everything wrong, and should therefore feel bad? That's all we need, women now feeling guilty about having c sections.....

I was BF, and I still have horrible asthma and allergies. My asthma doctors says I am one of the worst cases he has seen. I was also not a c section.

I really think health is part luck. And part of it is many many other factors.

[mom2one]

I'm with you jenw - can't stand these types of studies let alone most studies

My son was born via emergency c-section and has only ever been to the doctor ONCE for a health-related concern, for pink-eye. And well, the hospital once for falling and cutting his head.

He was mostly formula-fed (and goat's milk early on, baby cereal early on), no vaccinations ... and has no allergies, has never had an ear infection and has only ever had one bout of throwing-up/diarrhea.

He's almost 4 years old.

[Marilyn]

I get mad everytime I read about "research studies show". As one previous post pointed out, "research" studies can often be skewed.

Other factors I am "sure" were considered in the study, was second hand smoke, pet allergens, household allergens, etc. Get my point. There is never ONE thing, but a host of multiples.

[happygirlmichelle]

There really is no need for everyone to be defending their actions. C-sections happen. I had one too.

This article may make some of you defensive but I think this article could also be helpful to people who are pregnant and who are weighing the pro's and con's of having a c-section.

Everything is not about YOU and your c-section. *sheesh*

[mom2one]

I'm not defending my 'actions' (my c-section wasn't even my choice anyway) as I couldn't care less what anyone wants to say about my c-section nor my child who was the product of one

But along with the 'study' you shared, we have a right to share our own story - I'm not sure why you had to get upset & snarky about it. It bothers me that some women might start believing this study and getting all concerned/upset/guilty. I think our stories are important to share so everyone can view the 'study' in context. And that is that the study doesn't really mean anything. That there is much more to it (asthma) then whether you had a c-section or not.

[Brigette]

Everything is not about YOU and your c-section. *sheesh*

You sound slightly deffencive? I don't see anyone slamming you for posting this reserch. I thank you if you think it's vital for others to know.

I never had a c-section. Just stating there are differences and multiple other causes of asthma to take into account.

I'm concerned that others who have had a c-section will start feeling guilty about "making their kids sick". Most c-sections aren't by choice but only of medical necessary.

[happygirlmichelle]

I guess I just find it irritating when people judge if something is true based only on their own experiences. Like if they believe something to be true, it will magically be true.

An action does produce a result. It doesn't matter if it was not your fault or if it was your fault there is still a result.

An article like this can give people the information that they need to avoid a c-section if possible. An article like this can also help you to support you child by avoiding any other asthma risk factors.

I posted it because if it was me that was pregnant I would want to know the risk factors.