C-section babies ‘33% more at risk of autism’

But critics say the claim is based on skewed data

BABIES delivered by Caesarean section are a third more likely to develop autism later in life, researchers have claimed.

The controversial conclusion comes from data about 20 million births worldwide examined by scientists in Sweden.

They suggest that children born via C-section have a 33 per cent increased chance of autism as well as a 17 per cent higher risk of attention- deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

But last night their research was criticised by experts who said the data was skewed. They insisted the risk can be explained by the underlying problems causing women to have surgical deliveries rather than the procedure itself.

The number of C- sections in Britain has soared from about ten per cent of births three decades ago to 26 per cent today.

Although the operation is often needed to avoid complications, a growing body of evidence suggests it may affect the child later in life. The Swedish academics said babies born via C-section are not exposed to bacteria in the birth canal. This could stop them developing a robust immune system and push up the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Another explanation could be that babies in a surgical birth do not experience the vital ‘stress response’ involved in a natural delivery, added the study.

The academics at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm said: ‘Both elective and emergency Caesarean deliveries were associated with increased odds of ADHD and autistic spectrum disorder.

‘The results appear to further add to the known adverse health outcomes associated with Caesarean delivery and suggest judicious use of Caesarean delivery.’

Although they speculated about the biological reasons for the higher risk, the scientists admitfor ted these ‘remain unknown and require empirical investigation’.

British scientists said the more likely explanation is that many C- sections are for babies born prematurely, an established risk developmental issues. Problems with the placenta, which often trigger a surgical birth, could also be to blame.

Last night experts advised mothers-to-be not to be concerned by the study in the JAMA Network Open medical journal.

Consultant obstetrician Dr Pat O’Brien, for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: ‘Women who have a Caesarean birth should be reassured that it is a safe procedure.

‘A Caesarean birth can be a lifesaving intervention as well as the right choice for mother and baby.’

Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University, said: ‘There are very likely to be other differences between Caesarean and vaginal births to do with the mother, the child or something else.’

He added that the absolute increase in risk is tiny, up from seven babies in 1,000 with autism for natural births to about ten per 1,000 for Caesarean deliveries.

nTeenagers who take the Pill are up to three times more likely to suffer depression as adults, warn researchers at the University of British Columbia, Canada.

The study of 1,236 women in America pointed to the effects of hormones interfering with brain development in the under-18s.

‘Can be a life-saving intervention’