Authors: Kvenshagen, Bente¹; Halvorsen, Ragnhild²; Jacobsen, Morten³

Source: Acta Pædiatrica, Volume 98, Number 2, February 2009 , pp. 324-327(4)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Aim: Allergic diseases are increasing. At the same time an increasing number of children are delivered by caesarean section. These children do not get the same contact with their mother's gut flora as babies delivered vaginally. Theoretically, lack of exposure to maternal vaginal and perineal bacteria might change the gut flora, with secondary changes in the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether children delivered by caesarean section were more prone to develop food allergy.

Methods: Six hundred and nine children were included at birth. At 2-year follow-up, 512 children participated, 171 delivered by caesarean section, 341 born vaginally. The children reported to have symptoms consistent with possible food allergy, were examined at the outpatient clinic. The diagnosis was based on the history, skin prick test (SPT), specific IgE, elimination/challenge test and double blind placebo controlled challenge.

Results: Thirty-five (6.8%) children were diagnosed with adverse reactions to food, 27 with non-IgE-mediated and eight with IgE-mediated allergy. There was no over representation of children born by caesarean section.

Conclusion: In this study there seems to be no increased risk for food allergy in the first 2 years of life in children delivered by caesarean section.

Keywords: Caesarean section; Children; Food allergy; Vaginal delivery

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.01074.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Pediatrics, Oestfold Hospital Trust, Fredrikstad, Norway 2: Voksentoppen, Department of Pediatrics, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Senter, Oslo, Norway 3: Oestfold Hospital Trust, Research and Development, Fredrikstad and University of Oslo, Norway

Publication date: 2009-02-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Pediatrics
• By this author: Kvenshagen, Bente ;  Halvorsen, Ragnhild ;  Jacobsen, Morten

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers