Caesarean babies 23% more likely to develop diabetes

BABIES born by caesarean section have a 23% increased chance of becoming insulin-dependent diabetics in childhood, say researchers.

Although the reason for the link is not clear, scientists believe exposure to hospital bacteria may be involved.

Childhood infections, along with genetics, are already known to play an important role in the development of type 1 diabetes.

The disease is an auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in childhood and has to be managed with life-long insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes, a different disease linked to lifestyle and obesity.

The caesarean discovery emerged from an analysis of the results of 20 published studies on type 1 diabetes in children.

Researchers found that children delivered by caesarean section were 23% more likely to develop the disease than those who had natural births.

The increased risk could not be explained by other factors such as pregnancy related diabetes or whether a baby was breast fed.

Dr Chris Cardwell, from Queen’s University Belfast, who led the research reported in the online journal Diabetologia, said: “This study shows a consistent 20% increase in the risk of type 1 diabetes. The reason is still not understood although it is possible that the caesarean section itself is responsible, because babies are first exposed to bacteria from the hospital environment rather than to maternal bacteria.”

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK, said: “Not all women have the choice of whether to have a caesarean section or not, but those who do may wish to take this risk into consideration.”