|
By age 3, Caesarean babies are more likely to be overweight,researchers found. By Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- Babies born by Caesareansection are twice as likely to be obese by age 3 as infantsdelivered vaginally, a new study suggests. In the United States today, about one in three babies is born viaC-section, and one in three kids is overweight or obese. "Women who may be considering a C-section in the absence of amedical indication should be counseled that their children may havea higher risk of obesity," said study author Dr. Susanna Huh,director of the growth and nutrition program at Children's Hospitalin Boston. The study included more than 1,250 mother-child pairs admitted toMassachusetts hospitals between 1999 and 2002. All of the mothersjoined the study before 22 weeks into their pregnancy, and 25percent of babies were delivered by C-section. The rest weredelivered vaginally. Babies were measured and weighed at birth, at 6 months and again atage 3. Average birth weight was not statistically higher for babies bornby C-section. But nearly 16 percent of children delivered viaC-section were obese by the age of 3, compared with 7.5 percent ofthose born vaginally. Also, about 19 percent of the C-section kidswere overweight compared to just less than 17 percent of theothers. Those children delivered by C-section also had higher skinfoldthickness (a measure of body fat) at age 3, the study showed. The researchers said their findings held even after theycompensated for factors known to increase the risk of childhoodobesity, including overweight mothers and high birth weight. Exactly what is driving the increased risk for obesity is not fullyunderstood. "We speculate that the different modes of delivery may influencethe bacteria in the gut at birth, and it is possible that gutbacteria may influence obesity by affecting the calories andnutrients absorbed from diet," Huh said. The bacteria also maystimulate cells in a way that boosts insulin resistance,inflammation and fat, the authors noted. Another possibility is that some of the hormones released duringlabor may influence obesity development. "Further research is needed to confirm our findings, as well as toexplore the underlying mechanism for this association," Huh said. The study does not prove that C-sections cause obesity, however,and fear that a child could become overweight should not scarewomen who need a surgical delivery, one expert said. There are many valid medical reasons for C-section delivery, saidDr. Amos Grunebaum, an associate attending obstetrician andgynecologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill CornellMedical Center in New York City. These include babies in breachposition (buttocks and feet first), babies in distress and laborsthat don't progress. "When you have an indication for a C-section, the risk of not doingit is so high," Grunebaum said. "Having a baby with a potentialfuture risk of obesity is not a good enough reason to not do one." The report is scheduled for publication online May 24 in thejournal Archives of Disease in Childhood . Between 4 percent and 18 percent of C-sections in the United Statesare performed at the mother's request, the researchers noted. Dr. Mitchell Maiman, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology atStaten Island University Hospital in New York City, is quick topoint out the dangers associated with C-section delivery when it isdone without a clear medical indication. "The risks to the mother are enormous, if not with the first, thenwith the repeat surgeries," he said. "The risk of catastrophiccomplications from repeat surgery is really, really serious." Maiman said the rising C-section rates in the United States are notjustifiable. "Many women who have had a C-section can safelydeliver vaginally in the future," he noted. "This is known asvaginal birth after Caesarean." "Babies delivered via C-section have more pulmonary problems [and]are more likely to wind up in the intensive-care unit, and nowthere is the possibility that obesity rates will be twice as high,"he said. Caesarean birth also is known to raise the risk of childhood asthmaand allergies, the study authors added. More information Learn more about vaginal birth after Caesarean at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . SOURCES: Susanna Huh, M.D., Director, Growth and Nutrition Program,Children's Hospital, Boston; Amos Grunebaum, M.D., associateattending obstetrician and gynecologist, New York-PresbyterianHospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York City; MitchellMaiman, M.D., chairman, obstetrics and gynecology, Staten IslandUniversity Hospital, New York City; May 24, 2012, Archives of Disease in Childhood Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Water Leak Detectors , Infrared Beam Detector Manufacturer for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits CO Alarm Detector.
Related Articles -
Water Leak Detectors, Infrared Beam Detector Manufacturer,
|
