C-Section Tied to Childhood Asthma?

[momiangeleyes]

C-Section Tied to Childhood Asthma?

Children Born Via Cesarean Section May Be More Likely to Develop Asthma, Allergies

By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

May 21, 2008 -- Cesarean section rather than vaginal deliveries may raise the risk of childhood asthma and allergies by interfering with the child’s immune system development, according to a new study.

Researchers say previous studies have suggested that babies born via C-section are more likely to develop childhood asthma and allergies, but the reasons are unclear.

This study suggests that babies born via C-section have impaired immune cell function because of suppression of regulatory T cells, which regulate the development and function of the immune system.

“This finding is exciting because it suggests that the mode of delivery may be an important factor influencing immune system development,” researcher Ngoc Ly, MD, MPH, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, says in a news release.

C-Section & Asthma Link Explained

In the study, presented at the American Thoracic Society’s 2008 Conference in Toronto, researchers compared T cell suppression in a group of inner city newborns with a family history of asthma that put them at increased risk for childhood asthma.

Fifty of the children were born via C-section, and 68 were born vaginally. T cell suppression was measured by analyzing the child’s cord blood.

The results showed that children born by cesarean section had a reduction in T cell suppression function compared with the other children. For example, the average T cell suppression index was 0.78 for children born via C-section and 1.11 for those born vaginally.

Ly suggests that the stress and process of labor itself or exposure to specific microbes through the birth canal in vaginal rather than C-section delivery may influence neonatal immune responses.

“These findings are preliminary and further work is needed to explore potential mechanisms for the association between mode of delivery and neonatal immune responses,” Ly says. But researchers say this study provides a possible biological explanation for previous reports of the association between cesarean section and asthma.

View Article Sources

SOURCES:

American Thoracic Society 2008 Conference, Toronto, May 20, 2008.

News release, American Thoracic Society.

© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

This was a surprise b/c our youngest son was born via c section and he has always dealt with this cough and runny nose and dr.'s always say its just a cough or its wheezing but after this I might take another consideration. But I agree it doesnt always apply to every child b/c my daughter was also born via c section and she doesnt have this problem. I  just thought I would share it!

[AlohaWahine]

May. 22, 2008 at 9:53 AM Hmm ! I'm going to have to check more into this story and findings. My son was born via C-section too. He has allergies but I think it's because his father and I have them too. It's all about genetics. LOL

[txcandlelady]

May. 27, 2008 at 12:13 PM Both my girls were born via C-section and both have allergy symptoms.  My dr. told me it was more caused by the epidural used.  Who knows. 

My now 20 month old starting having horrible allergies and her dr. also prescribed her zyrtec.  I gave it to her every morning and her symptoms seems to be  a little better but still had major problems at night with being stuffy or even choking on drainage. 

Someone told me that indoor air pollution can sometimes cause symptoms that are mistaken for allergies.  This is caused by cleaning products (which I use everyday) and the harsh chemicals.  Anyway, I signed up as a Preferred Customer with Melaleuca and started using the disinfectant on the mattresses, sofa and even the carpet.  I've switched laundry deturgent, all purpose cleaner, tub & shower cleaner, etc. in an effort to make my home safer for my kids.

I only started using these products a couple of weeks ago and can see a change in how well she sleeps however I'm still hesitant to take her off the Zyrtec yet.  The products are ones I would usually buy at the store and am saving money by switching because they are super concentrated so they last FOREVER. 

Anyway, when I signed up the cost of $29 to become a preferred customer and get the products at up to 40% off but for May they have a special for only $14.50.  You can request more information at http://www.lovemygreenhome.com