Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Modeling Ascending Vaginal Infection, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Morbidity in Mice
04:18

Modeling Ascending Vaginal Infection, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Morbidity in Mice

Published on: October 10, 2025

The association of mode of delivery and common childhood illnesses

Daniel J Merenstein1, Margaret E Gatti, Darren M Mays

  • 1Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. djm23@georgetown.edu

Clinical Pediatrics
|June 10, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children born via cesarean (C)-section experience higher rates of infectious diseases, including respiratory infections and cough, compared to vaginally born children. This difference persists for 3 to 6 years post-birth, impacting child health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mode of delivery is a critical factor in early childhood development.
  • Previous studies suggest potential links between birth mode and later health outcomes.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for preventative healthcare strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if cesarean (C)-section delivery is associated with increased rates of common infectious diseases in children.
  • To determine if C-section delivery leads to greater changes in daily activities due to illness compared to vaginal delivery.
  • To assess the lasting effects of birth mode on child health up to 3-6 years of age.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis of participants from a randomized control trial (RCT).
  • Utilized parent-reported health information and mode of delivery data collected during follow-up calls.
  • Compared rates of infectious diseases and activity changes between C-section and vaginally born children, controlling for covariates.

Main Results:

  • Children born via C-section exhibited significantly higher cumulative rates of infectious diseases.
  • C-section delivery was linked to increased incidence of lower respiratory tract infections and cough.
  • These differences in respiratory health were observed 3 to 6 years after birth.

Conclusions:

  • Mode of delivery may have a lasting impact on a child's respiratory health.
  • Cesarean birth is associated with elevated risks for certain infectious diseases in early childhood.
  • Further research is needed to confirm causality and explore underlying mechanisms.

More Related Videos

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis08:46

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis

Published on: August 12, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
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,...
Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System01:26

Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System

At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence01:28

Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence

Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...