The way of birth alters the baby's microbiota, which can influence his respiratory health during his first year of life

We know the way to be born may influence the health of the baby. Studies carried out over the years have been in charge of investigating the differences in the health and development of children when they are born naturally and when they are born by caesarean section.

Now a new study presented during the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases adds one more difference to the list: the way of birth alters the baby's microbiota, which could influence his respiratory health during the first year of life.

Conducted in the Netherlands, the study entitled "Microbiome Utrecht Infant Study" analyzed the differences in the intestinal microbiota (the community of living microorganisms resident in the digestive tract) of children born vaginally and those born by caesarean section.

In Babies and more Babies born by caesarean section would have a higher risk of allergies

In it, it was found that babies born by caesarean section had a delay in the normal development of their intestinal microbiota, as well as a greater abundance of potentially harmful bacteria, compared to those born naturally or vaginally.

To reach this result the development of the intestinal microbiota in 120 babies was analyzed, 46 born by caesarean section and 74 born vaginally, from birth to their first year, through samples collected from their feces 10 times during that time.

This finding is relevant because the intestinal microbiota influences respiratory health, which could increase the risk of respiratory diseases during the first year of life, and coincides with a study we shared a few years ago, in which it was found that being born by caesarean section increased the risk of asthma.

It has been known for several years that vaginal delivery is most advisable in most cases and when a pregnancy passes normally, not only because it represents a lower risk for mom and baby, but also because, at birth Vaginally, the baby is "contaminated" by the bacteria in his mother, which helps the development of certain "good bacteria" that they will help them protect themselves from other threats, such as certain diseases or conditions.

In Babies and more A new study finds that the way of birth and cognitive development could be related

During these analyzes, it was also found that the intestinal microbiota of the first months of life, was related to the total number of respiratory infections during the first year.

The researchers comment that although it is a great finding, more studies are necessary to fully understand the consequences of differences in the colonization of the intestinal microbiota, caused by the way of birth.

And although it may not be the best news for mothers who have had our children by caesarean section (for whatever reason) this kind of studies they can help design and create strategies that help prevent possible health problems in babies born by caesarean section.