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| Caesareans 'may harm lung growth' | Caesareans 'may harm lung growth' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Babies born by elective Caesarean section are much more likely to develop breathing problems, a Danish study examining 34,000 deliveries suggests. | |
| Researchers found they were up to four times more likely to have respiratory problems than those born naturally, or by emergency Caesarean section. | Researchers found they were up to four times more likely to have respiratory problems than those born naturally, or by emergency Caesarean section. |
| The babies may miss out on hormonal and physiological changes during labour which help mature the lungs, they say. | The babies may miss out on hormonal and physiological changes during labour which help mature the lungs, they say. |
| The University of Aarhus study features in the British Medical Journal. | The University of Aarhus study features in the British Medical Journal. |
| Major operation | Major operation |
| Almost a quarter of UK births are now estimated to be Caesarean sections - far above the 10% to 15% rate recommended by the World Health Organization. | Almost a quarter of UK births are now estimated to be Caesarean sections - far above the 10% to 15% rate recommended by the World Health Organization. |
| A lot of woman are completely unaware of the fact that a planned Caesarean section can negatively impact on their baby Dr Maggie BlottConsultant obstetrician | A lot of woman are completely unaware of the fact that a planned Caesarean section can negatively impact on their baby Dr Maggie BlottConsultant obstetrician |
| More than half of these were emergency Caesareans, but despite this experts have been calling for measures to reduce numbers of elective Caesareans, warning it is a major operation. | More than half of these were emergency Caesareans, but despite this experts have been calling for measures to reduce numbers of elective Caesareans, warning it is a major operation. |
| A recent Oxford University study found that women could be four times more likely to die in childbirth if they opted for a Caesarean instead of natural birth. | A recent Oxford University study found that women could be four times more likely to die in childbirth if they opted for a Caesarean instead of natural birth. |
| The Danish team examined data on over 34,000 deliveries, adjusting to take account of factors such as the mother's age, weight, and whether she smoked or drank alcohol during pregnancy | The Danish team examined data on over 34,000 deliveries, adjusting to take account of factors such as the mother's age, weight, and whether she smoked or drank alcohol during pregnancy |
| They found that babies born by elective Caesarean section had an increased risk of general respiratory problems. | They found that babies born by elective Caesarean section had an increased risk of general respiratory problems. |
| The risk was higher the earlier the Caesarean was performed. | The risk was higher the earlier the Caesarean was performed. |
| A nearly fourfold increased risk was found at 37 weeks gestation, a threefold increase in risk at 38 weeks gestation, and a doubling of risk in infants delivered at 39 weeks gestation. | A nearly fourfold increased risk was found at 37 weeks gestation, a threefold increase in risk at 38 weeks gestation, and a doubling of risk in infants delivered at 39 weeks gestation. |
| For example, at 37 weeks, one in 10 babies delivered by elective Caesarean section developed respiratory problems, compared with 2.8% of infants delivered naturally or by emergency Caesarean section. | For example, at 37 weeks, one in 10 babies delivered by elective Caesarean section developed respiratory problems, compared with 2.8% of infants delivered naturally or by emergency Caesarean section. |
| At 38 weeks, the proportion was 1.7% compared with 5.1% and at 39 weeks, 1.1% compared with 2.1%. | At 38 weeks, the proportion was 1.7% compared with 5.1% and at 39 weeks, 1.1% compared with 2.1%. |
| The risks of serious respiratory problems showed the same pattern. | The risks of serious respiratory problems showed the same pattern. |
| The researchers conclude that significantly fewer babies would develop breathing problems if elective Caesareans were put off until 39 weeks gestation. | The researchers conclude that significantly fewer babies would develop breathing problems if elective Caesareans were put off until 39 weeks gestation. |
| They said: "It is plausible that hormonal and physiological changes associated with labour are necessary for lung maturation in neonates and that these changes may not occur in infants delivered by elective Caesarean sections." | They said: "It is plausible that hormonal and physiological changes associated with labour are necessary for lung maturation in neonates and that these changes may not occur in infants delivered by elective Caesarean sections." |
| Lung fluid | Lung fluid |
| Dr Maggie Blott, a consultant obstetrician at King's College Hospital, London, said obstetricians in the UK were advised not to carry out elective Caesareans before 39 weeks. | Dr Maggie Blott, a consultant obstetrician at King's College Hospital, London, said obstetricians in the UK were advised not to carry out elective Caesareans before 39 weeks. |
| She said part of the problem might be that doctors had to switch support lines to the baby very quickly during a Caesarean, and it was possible that lung fluid is not drained away as well as it should be. | She said part of the problem might be that doctors had to switch support lines to the baby very quickly during a Caesarean, and it was possible that lung fluid is not drained away as well as it should be. |
| She said: "Some babies do develop transient breathing problems, they usually recover from them, but occasionally a baby can be very sick indeed. | She said: "Some babies do develop transient breathing problems, they usually recover from them, but occasionally a baby can be very sick indeed. |
| "A lot of woman are completely unaware of the fact that a planned Caesarean section can negatively impact on their baby. | "A lot of woman are completely unaware of the fact that a planned Caesarean section can negatively impact on their baby. |
| "Any research which reinforces the fact that Caesareans are not necessarily in the best interests of the baby is welcome." | "Any research which reinforces the fact that Caesareans are not necessarily in the best interests of the baby is welcome." |
| Mervi Jokinen, of the Royal College of Midwives, said Caesarean section rates were too high in the UK. | Mervi Jokinen, of the Royal College of Midwives, said Caesarean section rates were too high in the UK. |
| She said it was a major operation, which had health implications for the mother, as well as the baby. | She said it was a major operation, which had health implications for the mother, as well as the baby. |
| "The decision to opt for a Caesarean section should not be taken lightly and should be based on good medical grounds," she said. | "The decision to opt for a Caesarean section should not be taken lightly and should be based on good medical grounds," she said. |