Association of cesarean section and allergic outcomes among infants at 1
year of age: Logistics regression analysis using data of 104,065 fetal
and children’s records from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Abstract
Background: Globally, the incidence of allergic diseases is increasing
along with cesarean delivery rates. Data regarding the association
between cesarean delivery and allergic diseases are inconsistent. Here,
we aimed to clarify the association between cesarean delivery and the
development of asthma, atopic dermatitis, wheezing, and eczema. Methods:
We used data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. The data
included were those of 104,065 fetal records and their children.
Information about the mode of delivery, asthma, atopic dermatitis,
wheezing, and eczema was obtained from questionnaires and medical record
transcripts. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess
the association between cesarean delivery and asthma, atopic dermatitis,
wheezing, and eczema risk among infants at 1 year of age. Results: We
included 74,639 subjects in this study, wherein 18.4% underwent
cesarean deliveries. After adjusting for the perinatal, socioeconomic,
and postnatal confounding factors, children born by cesarean delivery
had no increased risk of developing asthma [95% confidence interval
(CI) 0.84–1.08], atopic dermatitis (95% CI, 0.92–1.13), wheezing
(95% CI, 0.94–1.04), or eczema (95% CI, 0.94–1.05). Conclusions:
This nationwide cohort study found no association between cesarean
delivery and asthma, atopic dermatitis, wheezing, and eczema among
infants at 1 year of age. However, further studies are needed to
evaluate whether cesarean delivery plays a role in the development of
allergic diseases.