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New York Post
07-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Planned C-sections can increase your child's risk of these serious conditions
Today, nearly 1 in 3 births in the United States are performed by cesarean section, and a growing number of those are planned rather than done in response to an emergency. Planned C-sections allow doctors and expecting moms to sidestep some of the unpredictability of labor and offer an attractive amount of convenience and, for some, more peace of mind. But a new study out of Sweden is raising some red flags about what comes later for your bundle of joy. Advertisement 3 A new study out of Sweden is raising some red flags about post-cesarean life for your baby. Charlie's – Researchers analyzed the data of nearly 2.5 million children born between 1982 to 1989 and 1999 to 2015 and found that that babies delivered via C-section were more likely to develop certain cancers than those delivered vaginally. Of the nearly 376,000 children who were born using this method, 1,495 later developed leukemia — and those who were delivered by planned C-section, versus emergency, were at higher risk. Advertisement Specifically, the C-section babies had a 21% higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) — the most common type in children — and a 29% increased risk of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) — its most common subtype. Experts believe the heightened risk may stem from how a planned C-section circumvents natural physiological processes triggered during labor — like the release of important hormones as well as exposure to beneficial bacteria — which may play a role in protecting against certain diseases later in life. Crucially, the increased risk was not observed in emergency cesarean sections, which typically occur after labor has already started. Researchers note that the overall risk of these diseases is low. Advertisement 3 In the US, C-sections account for as much as 32% of all births. íí½í½í° íâíâ¬íÆíí½í¸íâ íâ¹í½í° – 'Fortunately, ALL is rare. This means that many C-deliveries are needed to obtain a statistically significant result, and it is difficult to obtain such a large sample in a Swedish registry study,' Christina-Evmorfia Kampitsi, a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, said in a press release. 'However, the results are close to significant, are in line with what previous studies have shown, and remain when we adjust for other relevant factors, which still makes them relevant.' Advertisement Additionally, the researchers point out that the percentage of C-section births in Sweden is only 11-15% and the overall childhood leukemia rate is roughly 4.5 per 100,000. In the US, C-sections account for as much as 32% of all births and childhood leukemia occurs at a slightly higher rate of about 5.6 per 100,000 children. 3 'C-sections are an important and often life-saving part of obstetric care. We don't want mothers to feel anxious about medically indicated C-sections,' Kampitsi said. Martin Valigursky – The findings were published Friday in the International Journal of Cancer. Kampitsi urged expecting mothers not to write off C-sections entirely — however, it might be worth discussing alternatives with your doctor, given the link between C-sections and other conditions. 'C-sections are an important and often life-saving part of obstetric care. We don't want mothers to feel anxious about medically indicated C-sections,' Kampitsi said. But Kampitsi points to other studies that have shown planned C-sections also increase the risk of other conditions, including asthma, allergies and Type 1 diabetes. Advertisement A 2024 meta-analysis, for one, suggests that C-section births increase the risk of food allergies by 35% and asthma by 20% in children later in life. And a 2011 meta-analysis found that C-sections lead to a 20% increased risk of Type 1 diabetes in kids. 'There is reason to discuss C-sections that are not medically indicated,' she added.
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Planned C-Sections Linked to Higher Risk of Cancer in Children
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Planned caesarean births—"C-sections"—slightly raise the risk of some childhood cancers—particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This is the conclusion of a study by researchers at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet, which analyzed health records from nearly 2.5 million children born between 1982 and 2015. The findings indicate that children born by planned C-section—those scheduled before labor begins—appear to have a 21 percent higher risk of developing ALL compared to those born vaginally. The risk was even higher—29 percent—for the most common subtype, B-cell ALL (B-ALL). While the researchers stress that the overall risk remains low, the study offers new insight into the potential long-term impacts of elective surgical births. "C-sections are an important and often life-saving part of obstetric care [and] we don't want mothers to feel anxious about medically indicated C-sections," said lead author Christina-Evmorfia Kampitsi, a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet. But when combined with other studies linking planned C-sections to asthma, allergies and type 1 diabetes, it's worth discussing non-medically indicated procedures, she added. Using Sweden's national birth and cancer registries, the team identified 1,495 children later diagnosed with leukemia. Children born via emergency C-section—typically after labor has already begun—did not show the same elevated risk. The researchers suggest this may be because emergency deliveries expose infants to natural stress hormones and maternal vaginal bacteria, which play a role in immune system development. Young mom hugging her newborn baby after delivery. Young mom hugging her newborn baby after delivery. NataliaDeriabina In contrast, planned C-sections—often performed before labor begins—bypass these natural exposures, potentially affecting how the infant's immune system matures. The elevated risk appeared more pronounced in boys and younger children, although the researchers caution that some results did not reach full statistical significance. Still, they argue the findings are meaningful, especially given that previous research has pointed to similar links. Kampitsi said that fortunately, acute lymphoblastic leukemia is rare. As a result, a large number of C-deliveries are required to achieve statistical significance, which presents challenges in collecting such a substantial sample size in a Swedish registry study. "However, the results are close to significant, are in line with what previous studies have shown, and remain when we adjust for other relevant factors, which still makes them relevant," she said. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about C-sections? Let us know via health@ Reference Kampitsi, C.-E., Mogensen, H., Heyman, M., Feychting, M., & Tettamanti, G. (2025). Mode of delivery and the risk of lymphoblastic leukaemia during childhood – A Swedish population-based cohort study. International Journal of Cancer.
