The way of birth, either by caesarean section or vaginally, determines the type of microbial communities that babies harbor, conditioning their future health. Depending on the way it is born, the baby may be protected differently against various diseases.
There are investigations that relate caesarean section to asthma or celiac disease, and a recent study relates birth by caesarean section to an increased risk of childhood obesity.
The study conducted by researchers at the Boston Children's Hospital (USA) concludes that babies born by caesarean section have up to twice as likely to be obese during childhood compared to those born by natural birth.
The study
The study authors analyzed 1,255 cases from 22 weeks of pregnancy. The babies were then measured and weighed at birth, at six months, and then at three years.
Of the total deliveries, one in four, that is, 22.6% were by caesarean section and the remaining 77.4% were vaginal deliveries. Mothers who gave birth by caesarean section used to weigh more than those who underwent vaginal delivery, and the birth weight of babies was also greater.
When he turned three, 16% of children born by caesarean section were obese, compared with 7.5% of those born vaginally.
Those born by caesarean section also had a higher body mass index and a higher measurement of the thickness of the skin fold.
Bacteria at birth
When going through the birth canal, vaginally, the baby is colonized by a certain type of intestinal bacteria, with a different composition than the bacteria acquired at birth by caesarean section.
Those born by caesarean section have a higher number of bacteria 'Firmicutes' and fewer bacteria 'Bacteroides', two groups that make up most of the intestinal flora.
There are other studies that suggest that people with obesity have a greater number of bacteria 'Firmicutes', so they believe that the bacteria present in the intestine may influence the development of obesity.
Conclusion
To conclude, the way to come to the world has implications for the baby's health, both short and long term. And although the development of obesity depends on multiple factors, both genetic and environmental, being born by caesarean section could increase the risk of childhood obesity.
