Babies born by caesarean section are at greater risk of contracting superbugs, research reveals
C-SECTION babies miss out on natural protection against superbugs, UK research has found.
Tots born naturally pick up their mum’s microbiome — good gut bacteria that helps fight infection — on their way into the world.
But babies born by caesarean section have a completely different microbiome that includes bugs linked to hospital infections.
It is thought these come from delivery wards.
Scientists also say their study may help explain the rise in some immune system-related illnesses — including allergies and type 1 diabetes — as the number of C-sections rockets.
Latest NHS figures for England show 29 per cent of babies were born this way in March.
The seven-year study was carried out by the Wellcome Sanger Institute in London, University College London and Birmingham University.
They analysed 1,679 poo samples from tots and mums.
They also found that the microbiome of naturally born babies is not from the mum’s vaginal bacteria but her intestine.
This may call into question the practice of swabbing babies with vaginal fluid.
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Dr Nigel Field, at UCL, said: “Babies are sterile in the womb. The moment they’re born is when they are presented with a huge number of bacteria.”
Dr Alison Wright, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said the study, published in Nature, should not put women off C-sections.
She said: “In many cases it is a life-saving procedure.”
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