A new study that combines data from more than 20 million births has found that a cesarean section delivery is associated with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the study does not indicate that cesarean section deliveries cause autism or ADHD.
Studies have found that the sensory integration ability of children born by Cesarean section is worse than that of children born by natural childbirth (Bu et al., 2008; Kong et al., 2009; Tian, 2009; Yuan et al., 2009).
Children delivered by C-section were 33% more likely to develop ASD and 17% more likely to develop ADHD.
We found that babies born via planned caesarean section had poorer scores in all five developmental areas at four months of age. The largest differences were noticed in fine motor skills, while the smallest differences were reported in communication as compared to vaginally born babies.
'The differences are very subtle but they come out most clearly in relationships,' she says. 'Caesarean babies as they grow up tend to be both dependent and impatient. They don't know the rhythm of getting to know someone and sustaining a relationship.
Wellcontrolled studies did not show any increase in intelligence of children delivered by cesarean section. Based on our findings, the association between cesarean deliveries with better cognitive development in children cannot be supported.
A natural caesarean is a “slowed-down section” with benefits that might include improved bonding between mother and child, easier breastfeeding and calmer infants.
It is already known that children born by Caesarean are at higher risk of some disorders such as type 1 diabetes, allergies and asthma. An errant immune system - the body's defence against infection - can play a role in all of them.
Read more about what to expect after a c-section. Possible risks to your baby include: a cut to the skin caused during surgery – this is usually minor and heals quickly. breathing problems – these might be more common if your baby is born before 39 weeks of pregnancy.
The C-section babies can display both irritability and increased likely hood of colic. Planned C-section babies are interestingly the most ratty and cranky babies I see. Scientific research absolutely confirms this showing that C-section deliveries cause a change to the friendly gut bacteria in the baby.
Long-Term Effects of C-Sections
Children born by C-section also suffer increased rates of diseases, including asthma, type I diabetes, allergies, obesity, as well as reduced overall cognitive functioning and lower academic performance.
People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms.
Advanced parental age at time of conception. Prenatal exposure to air pollution or certain pesticides. Maternal obesity, diabetes, or immune system disorders. Extreme prematurity or very low birth weight.
Since babies born via C-section do not pass through the birth canal and are not exposed to the same bacteria as babies born vaginally, their microbiome develops differently and has different strains of bacteria.
Evidence and expert consensus are consistent on the message that C-sections, on average, come with greater risks than vaginal births: more blood loss, more chance of infection or blood clots, more complications in future pregnancies, a higher risk of death.
“But C-sections come with risks for the mother, including risks from anesthesia, blood loss, infection, a longer recovery period and potential for a higher risk of postpartum depression,” says Dr. Starck. There also are potential risks for a baby born via C-section.
Fear of childbirth was the most common reason for cesarean birth preference, which was similar to previous studies [10,11,12,13, 15, 16]. Obstetricians should explore the fear, because fear of pain cannot be managed by cesarean section, which by itself will lead to pain afterwards.
Some babies, after birth, breathe faster and harder than expected. This may happen because of TTN, or transient tachypnea (say "tack-IP-nee-uh") in newborns. It's also called "wet lung." TTN is more common in babies delivered by C-section than in babies born by vaginal childbirth.
Also, is intelligence more of a genetic or environmental trait?” If a person with a high IQ marries someone with a lower IQ, their kids could have most any IQ. The same is true for two high IQ parents (although their kids will tend to have higher IQs).
Talk to your baby to stimulate their brain functions. Even if they do not understand you completely, the more you talk to them the more they will learn vocabulary words. Studies have shown that exposing babies to a greater number of words before they turn 3 increases their IQ.
Although the exact cause of autism is still unknown, there is evidence to suggest that genetics play a significant role. Since autism is less prevalent in females, autism was always thought to be passed down from the mother. However, research suggests that autism genes are usually inherited from the father.
There is not just one cause of ASD. There are many different factors that have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
While you can't prevent having a child with an autistic disorder, you can increase your odds of having a healthy baby by doing these lifestyle changes: Live healthy. Have regular check-ups, eat well-balanced meals, and exercise. Make sure you have good prenatal care, and take all recommended vitamins and supplements.
The behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often appear early in development. Many children show symptoms of autism by 12 months to 18 months of age or earlier. Some early signs of autism include: Problems with eye contact.