C- sec born children at higher risk of infection-related hospitalization: Study

Compared with those delivered vaginally, cesarean section-born children had an approximately 10% greater risk of infection-related hospitalization up to five years of age (hazard ratio (HR) from random effects model, 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-1.12, p < 0.001). Although the researchers were able to observe a relationship between mode of birth and risk of infection-related hospitalization, they note that future studies are needed to determine whether differences in early microbial exposure by mode of birth may play a mediating role in varying infection risks.

The authors stress that the findings should not discourage women from having cesareans when medically indicated and despite the small increased risk of childhood infections, cesarean births may be the safest option for some women and babies.

"Our findings have implications for clinical practice and public health policy," the authors said. "Infection is the leading cause of early childhood hospitalization and these findings should lead to studies to understand the mechanisms, including the effects of birth mode on immune development, and whether simple interventions, such as increasing breast-feeding rates, can offset any increased risks.

"It will be important to investigate whether similar findings are seen in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of childhood infection is likely to be higher."https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003429