C-section babies ‘more likely to be obese by five’

CHILDREN born by caesarean section are far more likely to be obese by the time they reach five years old, the biggest ever analysis of their health impacts has found.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh pooled together data from 80 studies and trials which jointly looked at 29 million births.

They found that the risk of obesity for under-fives jumped by 59 per cent if they had been delivered by a caesarean section. The youngsters were also 21 per cent more likely to develop asthma by the age of 12.

Scientists said there was growing evidence that caesarean sections influence the development of the immune system and gut bacteria, and many women have the procedure because they are obese, which also influences a baby’s health.

The review of studies also found that women who had undergone a previous caesarean were more likely to suffer pregnancy complications in the future. The chance of future stillbirth rose by 17 per cent and miscarriage by 27 per cent.

However it did seem to protect women from urinary incontinence, lowering the chance of bladder control problems by 56 per cent.

The researchers and other experts said the findings should help women decide whether to have an elective caesarean.

Professor Susan Wray, of the Harris Wellbeing Centre for Preterm Research at the University of Liverpool said: “The conclusions from this study are timely and important. As the authors note,

‘There was a need to assess the long-term risks and benefits of caesarean sections’

there was a need to assess the long-term risks and benefits of caesarean sections, and to include both maternal and neonatal outcomes and subsequent pregnancies.”

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has warned of the “incessant increase” of caesarean sections in Britain.

Thirty years ago only one in 10 babies were born through caesarean section but that has now risen to around one in four.

The research was published in the journal PLOS

One.