Does cesarean section pose a risk of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infants and children?

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the risk of acquiring acute respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in infants and children delivered by the mode of cesarean section (C-section). Methods: A retrospective and descriptive study was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation. Patients with ages 0 to 36 months hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis were included in the study. Results: The risk of RSV bronchiolitis was observed to be higher among C-section delivery compared to normal spontaneous vaginal delivery [odds ratio=1.10; 95% confidence interval (0.57, 1.80); P=0.965]; however, it was not statistically significant. Gestational age ≤35 weeks was significantly associated with increased risk of RSV bronchiolitis compared to gestational age >35 weeks [odds ratio=3.12; 95% confidence interval (1.53, 6.38); P=0.002]. Conclusions: Delivery by C-section does not appear to increase the risk of RSV bronchiolitis in infants compared with normal spontaneous vaginal delivery.