C-section and Immune Responses in Newborns

Sample size: 37 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Ly Ngoc P, Ruiz-Pérez Begoña, Onderdonk Andrew B, Tzianabos Arthur O, Litonjua Augusto A, Liang Catherine, Laskey Daniel, Delaney Mary L, DuBois Andrea M, Levy Hara, Gold Diane R, Ryan Louise M, Weiss Scott T, Celedón Juan C

Primary Institution: Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Hypothesis

Does cesarean section result in neonatal secretion of cytokines associated with increased risk of atopy and/or asthma in childhood?

Conclusion

Cesarean section is linked to higher levels of IL-13 and IFN-γ in newborns, potentially due to reduced exposure to maternal microbes at birth.

Supporting Evidence

Cesarean section was associated with increased levels of IL-13 and IFN-γ.
IL-13 secretion was significantly higher in neonates born by cesarean section after stimulation with allergens.
Maternal gut flora may influence neonatal immune responses depending on the mode of delivery.
Gram-positive anaerobes in maternal stool correlated with increased IL-10 levels in vaginally delivered infants.
Cesarean section infants had reduced IL-10 secretion at baseline.
Maternal history of atopy was associated with increased IL-13 and IFN-γ secretion.
Statistical analyses included linear regression and logistic regression to assess cytokine levels.
Findings suggest a potential immunologic basis for the association between cesarean delivery and atopy.

Takeaway

Babies born by C-section might have different immune responses than those born vaginally, which could affect their risk of allergies and asthma later on.