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The Relationship Between Prematurity and Mode of Delivery with Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction in Children

Carlos Alberto Velasco-Benitez1, Daniela Alejandra Velasco-Suarez1, Natalia Palma2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Universidad del Valle, Cali 76001, Colombia.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cesarean delivery and prematurity are linked to higher rates of gut-brain interaction disorders in young children, especially functional constipation. Further research is needed to understand these early-life event connections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are complex, with early-life events implicated in their development.
  • The specific roles of delivery mode and prematurity in DGBI pathogenesis are not well-established.
  • This study investigates the association between cesarean delivery, prematurity, and DGBI in early childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if cesarean delivery is associated with an increased risk of DGBI in children.
  • To assess whether prematurity is a risk factor for developing DGBI in early childhood.
  • To identify the prevalence of specific DGBIs, such as functional constipation, in relation to these early-life factors.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving caregivers and children aged 1 month to 4 years in Colombia.
  • Pediatricians administered the Spanish-validated Questionnaire of Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rome IV (QPGS-IV).
  • Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to compare outcomes between exposed and control groups.

Main Results:

  • DGBIs were diagnosed in 26.6% of children, with functional constipation (FC) being the most common (22.3%).
  • Children born via cesarean section showed a higher prevalence of DGBI (30.4%, OR=1.54) and FC (26.3%, OR=1.67).
  • Prematurity was associated with increased DGBI rates (35.7%, OR=1.64) and FC (30.8%, OR=1.66).

Conclusions:

  • Cesarean delivery and prematurity are significantly associated with DGBI in early childhood.
  • Functional constipation appears to be particularly linked to these early-life factors.
  • Further investigation into the underlying mechanisms and confirmation of these associations is warranted.

Keywords:
cesarean deliverydisorders of gut–brain interactionfunctional constipationinfantsprematurityschool-age infantsvaginal delivery

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