Vaginal delivery versus elective cesarean section and disease incidence in children aged up to 2 years

Abstract

Background: Cesarean section is often associated with an increased disease incidence in children. Given the controversial indications for cesarean sections, the significant increase in cesarean section rates may put children at risk. Objective: To investigate the existence of differences in disease incidence up to the age of two between children who were born by vaginal delivery and those born by elective cesarean section. Methodology: Quantitative study, through multivari-ate analysis, using the binary logistic regression in SPSS, version 18.0. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between children born by elective cesarean section and those born by vaginal delivery regarding the incidence of transient tachypnea and hypoglycemia immediately after birth, and the incidence of allergies, gastroenteritis, tonsillitis, urinary tract infection, and otitis until the age of 2. Conclusion: No statistically significant differences were found in the incidence of diseases until the age of two between children born by elective cesarean section and by vaginal delivery.