Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 27, 2025

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia
13:08

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia

Published on: December 2, 2015

9.3K

Is cesarean section a cause of affective disorders?-A national cohort study using sibling designs

Paul Bryde Axelsson1, Anne Helby Petersen2, Ida Hageman3

  • 1Nordsjællands Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hillerød, Denmark.

Journal of Affective Disorders
|February 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cesarean delivery may be associated with an increased risk of affective disorders in children. However, sibling analyses suggest this link is not explained by gut microbiota changes, challenging the gut-brain axis hypothesis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Cesarean section alters infant gut microbiota composition compared to vaginal delivery.
  • The gut-brain axis hypothesis suggests potential links between early-life exposures and mental health.
  • Cesarean delivery is a potential risk factor for affective disorders in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cesarean delivery and the risk of affective disorders in a large cohort of Danish children.
  • To explore whether the gut-brain axis, mediated by gut microbiota, explains any observed association.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based prospective cohort study of Danish children born between 1982 and 2001, followed until 2015.
  • Standard Cox models and Cox sibling models were used to assess the effect of delivery mode on affective disorder risk.
  • Affective disorders were identified using diagnostic codes or prescriptions for antidepressants and lithium.

Main Results:

  • A large cohort (1,009,444 children) was followed for 8,880,794 person-years.
  • Standard models showed increased affective disorder risk for both pre-labor and intrapartum cesarean sections.
  • The association between pre-labor cesarean section and affective disorders was not significant in sibling models, while intrapartum cesarean section showed a borderline significant association.

Conclusions:

  • The findings do not support the hypothesis that delivery-mode-dependent gut microbiota changes cause subsequent affective disorders.
  • While an association between cesarean delivery and affective disorders was observed, it may not be directly mediated by the gut microbiome.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the complex relationship between delivery mode and mental health outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cesarean sectionDepressionEpidemiologic research designMicrobiotaMood disordersProportional hazards models

More Related Videos

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting11:31

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting

Published on: November 30, 2015

16.4K
Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

3.4K

Related Concept Videos

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
400
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
352
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings01:29

Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings

Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or...
134
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
370
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin...
415
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood03:34

Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood

Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships. 
48.5K