Prevalence of allergic diseases and their symptoms in schoolchildren according to the birth mode / Prevalencia de enfermedades alérgicas y síntomas en escolares de acuerdo con la vía de nacimiento

Abstract Background: The relationship between birth by cesarean section (CS) and allergic diseases’ prevalence continues to be controversial. We aimed to investigate if being born by CS is associated with the prevalence of allergic diseases and their symptoms in schoolchildren. Methods: This study included children between 6 and 7 years of age, selected by population-based sampling. We investigated the presence of allergic diseases and their symptoms, family history of asthma, smoking in parents, breastfeeding, exposure to pets, the season of birth, number of siblings, consumption of unpasteurized cow’s milk, and mode of birth. Results: We included 1003 subjects (526 girls), of which 44.2% were born through CS. The prevalence of allergic diseases did not differ according to birth mode. Asthma in either parent, current smoking by the mother, breastfeeding, and unpasteurized cow’s milk consumption were associated with wheezing at some time in life. Conclusions: No association between CS birth mode and allergic diseases and their symptoms was found.

Resumen Introducción: La relación entre el nacimiento por operación cesárea y las enfermedades alérgicas es controversial. El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar si el nacimiento por cesárea se asocia con la prevalencia de las enfermedades alérgicas y sus síntomas en escolares. Métodos: Estudio transversal que incluyó una muestra probabilística de niños de 6 a 7 años. Se registraron la presencia de enfermedades alérgicas y sus síntomas, la historia familiar de asma, el tabaquismo en los padres, la alimentación al seno materno, la exposición a mascotas, la estación de nacimiento, el número de hermanos, el consumo de leche no pasteurizada de vaca y la vía de nacimiento. Resultados: Se incluyeron 1003 sujetos (526 niñas), de los cuales el 44.2% nacieron por cesárea. La prevalencia de enfermedades alérgicas no difirió según la vía de nacimiento. El antecedente de asma en alguno de los progenitores, el tabaquismo actual en la madre, la lactancia materna y el consumo de leche no pasteurizada de vaca se asociaron con sibilancias presentes alguna vez en la vida. Conclusiones: No se demostró asociación entre el nacimiento por cesárea y las enfermedades alérgicas y sus síntomas.

Prevalence of allergic diseases and their symptoms in schoolchildren according to the birth mode.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between birth by cesarean section (CS) and allergic diseases' prevalence continues to be controversial. We aimed to investigate if being born by CS is associated with the prevalence of allergic diseases and their symptoms in schoolchildren. METHODS: This study included children between 6 and 7 years of age, selected by population-based sampling. We investigated the presence of allergic diseases and their symptoms, family history of asthma, smoking in parents, breastfeeding, exposure to pets, the season of birth, number of siblings, consumption of unpasteurized cow's milk, and mode of birth. RESULTS: We included 1003 subjects (526 girls), of which 44.2% were born through CS. The prevalence of allergic diseases did not differ according to birth mode. Asthma in either parent, current smoking by the mother, breastfeeding, and unpasteurized cow's milk consumption were associated with wheezing at some time in life. CONCLUSIONS: No association between CS birth mode and allergic diseases and their symptoms was found.