Caesarean section and gastrointestinal symptoms, atopic dermatitis, and sensitisation during the first year of life
Open Access
- 1 November 2004
- journal article
- research article
- Published by BMJ in Archives of Disease in Childhood
- Vol. 89 (11) , 993-997
- https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2003.043265
Abstract
Aims: To investigate the effect of caesarean section on gastrointestinal symptoms, atopic dermatitis, and sensitisation to nutritional allergens in infants. Methods: A total of 865 healthy full term neonates with parental history of allergy participating in the prospective German Infant Nutritional Intervention Program (GINI) were exclusively breast fed during the first four months of life and had a one year follow up. Data were obtained by follow up visits at age 1, 4, 8, and 12 months, weekly diaries for the first six months, and measurement of total and specific IgE at birth and 12 months. Results: Infants born by caesarean section (147/865, 17%) had a greater risk of diarrhoea (ORadj 1.46, 95% CI 1.022 to 2.10) and sensitisation to food allergens, both in adjusted (ORadj 2.06, 95% CI 1.123 to 3.80) and stratified analyses (by cord blood IgE). Caesarean delivery was not associated with colicky pain and atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: Caesarean delivery might be a risk factor for diarrhoea and sensitisation in infants with family history of allergy. Further research in this area seems warranted as choosing caesarean section becomes increasingly popular.Keywords
This publication has 29 references indexed in Scilit:
- Mode of delivery and risk of developing allergic diseaseJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2002
- Maternal compliance with nutritional recommendations in an allergy preventive programmeArchives of Disease in Childhood, 2002
- Does the Sibling Effect Have Its Origin In Utero? Investigating Birth Order, Cord Blood Immunoglobulin E Concentration, and Allergic Sensitization at Age 4 YearsAmerican Journal of Epidemiology, 2001
- The pattern of atopic sensitization is associated with the development of asthma in childhoodJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2001
- Allergy development and the intestinal microflora during the first year of lifeJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2001
- In utero and perinatal complications preceding asthmaAllergy, 2001
- Caesarean section and risk of asthma and allergy in adulthoodJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2001
- Distinct patterns of neonatal gut microflora in infants in whom atopy was and was not developingJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2001
- Risk of childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis in relation to pregnancy complicationsJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2000
- Healthy gut microflora and allergy: factors influencing development of the microbiotaAnnals of Medicine, 1999