UCC Study links C-Sections to increased risk of ASD
A UCC-led study has found that delivery by Caesarean section is associated with an increased risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in childhood.The research, published in the internationally renowned Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, suggests that children born by Caesarean section are 23% more likely to develop ASD. The review also examined a link between Caesarean section and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), however only two studies were available and thus these findings were unclear.The authors urge caution when interpreting their results, emphasising that the overall risk of developing ASD remains small and that more research is needed to understand the relationship between environmental factors, like mode of delivery and genetic factors, such as the causes of ASD.The study is a meta-analysis of 25 observational studies into the effects of delivery by Caesarean section on ASD in various countries including the United States, Australia, Canada and Sweden. It remains unclear as to what is driving the association, due to the complex relationship between choice of delivery and psychological development which may involve several contributing factors.Lead author Eileen Curran highlighted how the need for additional research is underscored by the increasing popularity of Caesarean sections worldwide.“Given the accelerating rate of Caesarean section globally, this finding warrants further research of a more robust quality using larger populations to adjust for important potential confounders and explore potential causal mechanisms.”Louise Kenny, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UCC and a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Cork University Maternity Hospital, encourages parents to recognise that the risks associated with Caesarean section are limited and that the procedure can be beneficial.“Parents should be reassured that the overall risk of a child developing ASD is very small and that Caesarean section is largely a very safe procedure and when medically indicated, it can be lifesaving.”The research was jointly coordinated by various Irish academics and funded by the Irish Centre for Foetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT).Professor Louise Kenny and a host of experts and patient speakers will be discussing the risks and benefits of Caesarean sections in a public forum, Thursday 13th November at 8pm in Cork University Hospital Main Auditorium.
