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According to a survey by IIT Madras between 2016 and 2021, the incidence of C-sections across India increased from 17.2% to 21.5%. On the other hand, the rates in the private sector increased from 43.1% (2016) to 49.7% (2021), which means that almost 1 in 2 deliveries in the private sector are C-sections. The same research suggests more women are opting increasingly for C-Section surgeries irrespective of whether it is clinically ‘needed’ or not. However, a new Swedish study suggests that the procedure may be harmful for the child as it increases the risk of certain serious health conditions.
Planned C-sections can increase your child’s risk of Lukemia
The study published recently in the International Journal of Cancer looked at data from nearly 2.5 million infants born during 1982 to 1989 and 1999 to 2015. They found that babies who were delivered through a C-section had a higher likelihood of developing certain cancers than those who were delivered vaginally. Of almost 376,000 babies born through a C-section, 1,495 later developed leukemia. And those babies that were delivered through a planned C-section, rather than an emergency C-section experience higher risks. “The babies born via C-section had a 21% increase in risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common type in children and had a 29% increase in risk of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), the most widely documented subgroup of ALL,” the research claimed. Experts suggest that this additional risk might stem from the fact that planned C-sections avoid the natural physiological events that occur during labor , such as the hormonal release involved in labor and delivery and incidental exposure to specific, beneficial bacteria at the time of delivery, that may promote protection from certain diseases later in life. Importantly, researchers were unable to identify any additional risk in emergency cesarean sections, which typically occur several hours after labor has begun. Although, researchers noted that the risk of ALL, B-ALL, and other similar conditions is low overall.
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Should C-Sections Be Avoided?
In some cases, where the vaginal delivery is untenable, C-section is a life saving option. However, researchers suggest the majority of women today choose it out of convenience. Dr Vijaydeep Kaur, Chief Gynaecologist & IVf Specialist, Rana Hospital, Ludhiana believes that C-section procedures are inevitable at times, and cannot be completely written off by expecting mothers, however women should have a detailed discussion with their doctor before opting for or out of it. “Cesarean deliveries are an essential, often lifesaving part of obstetric care. We do not want mothers feeling uneasy about medically indicated cesarean deliveries, and urge mothers-to-be not to write off cesareans completely. However, it might be worth having a conversation with your physician about alternatives, simply because of an association with cesarean effects on conditions,”.
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Bottom Line
Many studies, past and present, have indicated multiple risks, like asthma and food allergies, involved in ‘planned’ c-section surgeries. Experts emphasise that there might be no alternative as of now for those c-section surgeries that are medically needed, however, there should be a debate on the ones that are ‘planned’ out of convenience.