A new investigative study conducted by researchers from the University College of Cork in Ireland is now suggesting that infants who are born from a cesarean type operation could be at higher risk of developing autism than babies who are born through normal vaginal delivery.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, birth statistics in the country show that one in three babies who are born through a C-section have the tendency to develop autism. Experts believe that the increased risk to develop autism could be due to a number of problems that occur during labor and immediately after the child is born. This discovery comes closely after another study presented evidence that this childhood condition was influenced by developmental and environmental issues.
During the study, different circumstances that could affect infants during the processes of labor and delivery were observed and researchers were able to identify specific conditions that were associated to a significant increase in the risk developing autism.
Of all the factors that were considered, cesarean delivery was found to be responsible for a 26% increase in the risk of developing autism. Researchers admit that further studies are required to positively establish the co-relation between this developmental condition and this specific method of delivery. Date, however, believe that babies who are under stress during labor and require a C-section delivery are most affected by the risk factors of autism, which could explain the higher incidences of autism in this particular group.
Dr. Linda Dodds from the Dalhousie University in Halifax has been studying risk factors for autism and regarded the analysis during this particular study as "very good." She also added that, "I think it is important to note that because a factor is associated with increased risk, it does not necessarily mean it causes autism. These factors may contribute to fetal growth or the overall well-being of the fetus and are, therefore, possible markers for some underlying, yet still unidentified cause."