Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 30, 2025

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

10.7K

Delivery mode and gut microbial changes correlate with an increased risk of childhood asthma

Jakob Stokholm1,2, Jonathan Thorsen1, Martin J Blaser3,4

  • 1COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2820 Copenhagen, Denmark.

Science Translational Medicine
|November 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cesarean section delivery alters infant gut microbiota, increasing asthma risk. However, normal gut microbiota maturation by age one can mitigate this risk, protecting children from asthma development.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Pediatric allergy and immunology
  • Environmental influences on health

Background:

  • Cesarean section delivery is linked to increased childhood asthma risk.
  • Gut microbiota alterations are a potential mechanism mediating this association.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of cesarean section on infant gut microbiota composition.
  • To determine if delivery mode-induced microbial changes are associated with asthma development.
  • To explore if gut microbiota maturation can influence asthma risk in cesarean-born infants.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective follow-up of 700 children in the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood 2010 (COPSAC2010) cohort from birth.
  • 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to analyze gut microbial composition at one week, one month, and one year of age.
  • Assessment of asthma development in the first six years of life.

Main Results:

  • Cesarean section delivery caused significant gut microbiota changes at one week and one month, with minor differences by one year compared to vaginal delivery.
  • Increased asthma risk in cesarean-born children was observed only if their gut microbiota retained a cesarean-associated signature at one year.
  • Normal gut microbiota maturation by one year appeared to counteract the elevated asthma risk.

Conclusions:

  • Gut microbiota composition at one year of age is critical in determining asthma risk for cesarean-born infants.
  • Appropriate gut microbiota maturation may serve as a protective factor against asthma development.
  • Targeting gut microbiota development could be a strategy to prevent asthma in children delivered by cesarean section.

More Related Videos

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing11:22

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

30.7K
Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery06:09

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery

Published on: February 14, 2019

7.2K

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
85.9K
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
3.1K
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
1.0K
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
3.7K
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
2.9K
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
3.0K