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Asthma Risk Increases With Caesarean Birth

Posted on: Wednesday, 3 December 2008, 07:25 CST

Swiss researchers found babies born by Caesarean section could be at a disadvantage because data shows they are more likely to develop asthma than children delivered naturally.

The findings highlight the risks of elective C-sections as more women in modern countries choose to avoid a natural birth.

The study was published in the medical journal, Thorax.

"The increased rate of Caesarean section is partly due to maternal demand without medical reason," Caroline Roduit of Kinderspital Zurich medical institution and colleagues wrote.

"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."

More than 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma - the most common pediatric chronic illness.

Asthma symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness.

Researchers said babies born by C-section are not exposed to their mother's bacteria when they pass through the birth canal - a process that prepares the immune system for bacteria later in life and could explain the increased risk.

The study looked at 3,000 children whose respiratory health was monitored until age eight. By this time, about 12 percent, or 362 children, had been diagnosed with asthma for which a doctor had prescribed inhaled steroids.

Swiss researchers found 9 percent of the children were born by C-section but these babies were nearly 80 percent more likely to develop asthma compared to those born vaginally.

They wrote that the link was even stronger for the 9 percent of the children with two allergic parents who were already more predisposed to the respiratory condition.

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On the Net:

• Thorax

Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

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