A very recent Australian study clearly establishes the link between the increase in scheduled caesarean deliveries and the increase in hospitalization for bronchiolitis in the newborns resulting from these caesareans. It should be noted that this study had no commercial funding and that the authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Hannah C. Moore, MD, of the Telethon Institute for Pediatric Health Research (University of Western Australia), and colleagues published a previous study demonstrating the link between scheduled cesarean deliveries and health difficulties experienced by babies born from these deliveries. Poor prognoses include birth trauma, breathing difficulties, newborn respiratory distress syndrome, admissions to pediatric intensive care units, and transient hyperventilation of the newborn. Previous studies have reported an increased risk of hospitalization for acute low respiratory tract infections in children born by scheduled cesarean section up to 2 years of age.
The very recent study conducted by Dr. Moore and colleagues aimed to observe the association between the number of hospital admissions for bronchiolitis or pneumonia only for babies born by scheduled cesarean section. These researchers examined the association between mode of delivery and hospitalizations in 212,068 children born between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. The study covers a period from 1996 to 2005 and a population of children in Western Australia under 23 months of age. These scientists used birth records and medical records from hospital administrative databases. They find that 16% of children are born by scheduled cesarean section. These 16% of children have a 10% higher risk of hospital admission for bronchiolitis before the age of 12 months, compared to babies born by natural vaginal delivery, after adjustment for other maternal and fetal factors. The study also showed a 20% increase in the same risk for the same populations of children between 12 and 23 months of age, but this elevation did not appear to be significant.
However, there was no association between scheduled cesarean delivery and pneumonia admissions in any age group
The authors hypothesize that during the period of labor that precedes delivery, the body produces many molecules (cytokines) that stimulate the immune system of the mother and child. Umbilical cord blood samples show higher levels of immune defenses in children born by natural low route. The study authors say this difference may explain the increased susceptibility to respiratory infections in newborns from these scheduled cesarean deliveries.
The authors therefore inform physicians and expectant parents to be aware of the increased risks associated with a scheduled cesarean delivery.
In order to carry a pregnancy to term, it is necessary to avoid deficiencies. Placental abruption and premature rupture of the water bag have been observed in cases of vitamin C and beta carotene deficiency. Vitamin C also helps prevent cystitis and venous disorders. Taking vitamins B6, B9 and D, magnesium and zinc reduces the risk of premature delivery. During pregnancy, deficiencies in zinc, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B6 and omega-3 fatty acids may lead to fatty diabetes, hypertension and risk of eclampsia.
As far as the fetus is concerned, growth delays can be avoided thanks to vitamins B1, B5, B12, C, and zinc and magnesium. Vitamin B9 prevents fetal malformations, mainly spina bifida (malformation of the lower spine). Silicon and vitamin C can reduce the development of stretch marks during pregnancy.
All of these food supplements promote a smooth delivery and postpartum depression, so feared by mothers.