Chapter 25, Problem 1DQ

Summary Introduction

To review:

The evidence related to the difference in gut bacteria in children born by Ceasarean delivery (surgical C-section i.e. without passing through the birth canal) compare to the children born by normal vaginal delivery. Whether C-section delivery makes the children more prone to some diseases comare to the children by vaginal delivery.

Introduction:

There is a dramatic change in gut bacteria during human pregnency which help a pregnant woman to adapt under the stress condition related to carrying a fetus. The microbial community plays an important role in performing specific functions. The intestinal microbiota is essential for the development of the immune system and possible pathogenesis of several allergic and autoimmune diseases. The infants born vaginally are exposed to a group of beneficial microorganism known as microbiota, when passes through the birth canal. This exposure of the baby to the mother's vaginal microbes passes the mother's flora to the baby which is important in the post natal development of the immune system of the baby.

Explanation of Solution

Microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and the mucosal immune system are related to each other. The early development of the intestinal microbiota in relation to the developing immune system and the early influence of caesarean versus vaginal delivery (VD) is a matter of concern always, as infants after a caesarean delivery, have been associated with increased risks of asthma, allergies, obesity, and immune deficiencies. In the process of C-section infant won't come into contact with maternal vaginal fluid or microflora, instead exposed with skin microbes which are a very different set of bacterial species. Nevertheless, there is a number of evidence which shows that intestinal bacteria play an important role in the postnatal development of the immune system. This intestinal flora development varies based on the mode of delivery. The available epidemiological data indicates that atopic diseases appear more often in infants born after caesarean delivery than after vaginal delivery. The exposure during the vaginal delivery makes the infant's more access to the mother's microbiota, which enters in the intestine during the travel of baby through the birth canal.

Malamitsi-Puchner et al. proposed that only vaginal delivery promotes the production of several cytokines implicated in neonatal immunity. Hallstrom et al. found a connection between caesarean delivery, disturbed intestinal colonization and probable occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. Several other epidemiological data demonstrates that caesarean delivery imparts an increased risk for allergic diseases in later childhood.

Conclusion

Thus it is concluded that a number of evidence supports the fact related to the difference in gut bacteria in children born by Ceasarean delivery compare to the children born by normal vaginal delivery. C-section delivery makes the children more prone to some diseases like asthma, allergies, obesity, and immune deficiencies comare to the children born by vaginal delivery.