Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Murine Appendectomy Model of Chronic Colitis Associated Colorectal Cancer by Precise Localization of Caecal Patch
08:51

Murine Appendectomy Model of Chronic Colitis Associated Colorectal Cancer by Precise Localization of Caecal Patch

Published on: August 24, 2019

Cesarean section and the risk of pediatric Crohn's disease

Petter Malmborg1, Shahram Bahmanyar, Lena Grahnquist

  • 1Department of Women and Child Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. petter.malmborg@karolinska.se

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
|May 4, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cesarean section birth is linked to a slightly higher risk of pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) in boys, but not girls. This finding suggests perinatal exposures may play a role in CD development.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Crohn's disease (CD) may stem from an aberrant immune response to gut microbiota.
  • Altered early-life microbial colonization, potentially influenced by birth mode, could disrupt immune system homeostasis.
  • Perinatal microbial exposures are hypothesized to be crucial for developing intestinal immune tolerance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between birth by cesarean section and the incidence of pediatric Crohn's disease.
  • To explore potential sex-specific differences in this association.

Main Methods:

  • A Swedish population-based cohort study identified 1536 pediatric CD cases and 15,439 controls.
  • Conditional logistic regression was employed to analyze the association, with adjustments for confounding factors.
  • Stratification by sex was performed to examine potential differences.

Main Results:

  • Birth by cesarean section showed a modest increased risk for pediatric CD in boys (OR=1.25, 95% CI 1.01-1.54).
  • No significant association was found for girls (OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.76-1.29).
  • Elective cesarean section was associated with a modest increased risk overall (OR=1.36, 95% CI 1.02-1.80).

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests a potential etiological role for perinatal exposures related to delivery mode in pediatric CD.
  • Findings indicate a possible sex-specific susceptibility to CD development following cesarean birth.
  • While not recommending changes to delivery practices, the results highlight the importance of birth mode in immune development and CD etiology.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis08:49

Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis

Published on: October 29, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management01:21

Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management

Surgical interventions for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are essential in managing symptoms and addressing complications. The selection of surgical procedures is contingent upon the specific conditions and complications that stem from these illnesses.
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease01:25

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis01:27

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction01:26

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...