Babies suffering from a difficult birth and are born with forceps are more likely to develop problems such as aggression during childhood than those born by Caesarean section, according to a study conducted in China. The researchers believe that behavior problems may be linked to high levels of cortisol, a hormone the body produces during childbirth difficult and stressful.
"The association between mode of delivery and subsequent child psychopathology is possibly related to cortisol response," wrote experts in an article published Wednesday in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology . Previous
Studies have found that cortisol levels in umbilical cord blood are lower in children born by caesarean section, followed by spontaneous vaginal delivery.
higher levels of cortisol were found in those born by assisted vaginal delivery using forceps or vacuum extraction.
"cortisol levels have been linked to childhood psychopathology, although more studies are still needed to study this in more detail," the scientists, led by Professor Jianmeng Liu, deputy director of the Institute of Reproductive and Child Health Science Center Health of Peking University. The study involved
to 4,190 children born in the southern Chinese provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu, and were examined at the age of 4 and 6 years for problems such as being withdrawn, be anxious or depressed, have attention difficulties and aggressive and delinquent behavior.
These problems were lower in children born by Caesarean section and higher in those born by instrumental delivery with forceps and vacuum, the researchers said.
C-sections are increasing in China, especially in the wealthier areas of the South, where rates have risen 56 percent in 2006 from 22 percent in 1994.
Cesarean delivery on request of the mother is an important factor in this trend. Accounted for 3.6 percent of all cesareans in 1994 and 36 percent in 2006 in southeast China.
Tags: Aggressiveness
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Child Psychology,
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