Babies born by C-section had a different set of microbes in their digestive tracts than those born vaginally, and that infants who were breast-fed had a different type of bacteria in their guts than those who were given formula. Previous studies have linked cesarean delivery to a higher risk of asthma, diabetes and obesity, but the reason wasn't clear.
During vaginal delivery, for example, babies are baptized to the world of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens as they pass through the birth canal; birth is, in a sense, their first immunization against the bugs they are likely to encounter in their new environment as their still developing immune systems get to work taking stock of the microbes. Babies pick up the microbial content of their mother's gut.
Over time, the babies' immune systems start to distinguish between friend and foe in the microbial world, and launch attacks on potentially harmful bugs while leaving beneficial ones, like those that live in the gut, alone.
Cesarean section, however, bypasses this immunizing opportunity, and may leave newborns more vulnerable to certain infections since their immune systems are still catching up. In the study, infants born by C-section had fewer colonies of Escherichia and Shigella bacteria than those born vaginally.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/14/health/time-bacteria-children/index.html?hpt=hp_bn13
No comments:
Post a Comment