C-section birth increases the incidence of asthma in children by 20%. It has been shown that the frequency of food allergy increases due to cesarean delivery. This relationship is stronger in babies born to allergic mothers.
Every normal person has a colonized bacterial flora in their intestines. In order for the baby not to develop food allergies in the future, the structure of the harmless bacterial flora in the intestines is very important. When a baby is born, its intestines are sterile. During birth, the mother's own intestinal flora is formed through her first contact with the bacterial flora. Studies show that Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium, known as beneficial bacteria, are less in the intestinal flora of babies born by cesarean section compared to non-allergic children. While these beneficial bacteria enable the baby to develop tolerance to foods in the early period, they also reduce the risk of allergies and asthma in later ages.
While the cause of the increase in allergic diseases in the world is being investigated; The most comprehensive research conducted by scientists interested in allergies in children is the "Hygiene Hypothesis". In this hypothesis, we can compare the immune system to a scale.
The immune system consists of two different systems that work in opposite directions, like two arms of a scale. One arm fights germs; The other branch is held responsible for allergic reactions.
The more the immune system comes into contact with microbes; The more it avoids allergies. On the contrary, the more the fight against microbes is restricted; The immune system also shifts towards allergies. Nowadays, while families are trying to protect their children from diseases, they are also making them prone to allergic reactions.
During normal birth, the baby comes into contact with harmless microbes in the mother's birth canal and receives the first natural warning that will put the immune system on the right track. But; Since babies born via cesarean section are born in a completely sterile environment, the immune system shifts towards allergies when there is no contact with germs.
There was no medical necessity, especially for expectant mothers with a family history of allergic diseases. How many cesarean births should they choose?
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