Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0929 |
| Title: | A meta-analysis of the association between Caesarean section and childhood asthma. |
| Author(s): | Thavagnanam S, Fleming J, et al. |
| Reference: | Clin Exp Allergy. 2008 Apr;38(4):629-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02780.x. |
| Place of Study: | UK |
| Abstract: | OBJECTIVE:
To review published literature and perform a meta-analysis summarizing the evidence in support of an association between children born by Caesarean section and asthma.
METHODS:
MEDLINE, Web Science, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched to identify relevant studies. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each study from the reported prevalence of asthma in children born by Caesarean section and in control children. Meta-analysis was then used to derive a combined OR and test for heterogeneity in the findings between studies.
RESULTS:
Twenty-three studies were identified. The overall meta-analysis revealed an increase in the risk of asthma in children delivered by Caesarean section (OR=1.22, 95% CI 1.14, 1.29). However, in this analysis, there was evidence of heterogeneity (I(2)=46%) that was statistically significant (P<0.001). Restricting the analysis to childhood studies, this heterogeneity was markedly decreased (I(2)=32%) and no longer attained statistical significance (P=0.08). In these studies, there was also evidence of an increase (P<0.001) in the risk of asthma after Caesarean section (OR=1.20, 95% CI 1.14, 12.6).
CONCLUSION:
In this meta-analysis, we found a 20% increase in the subsequent risk of asthma in children who had been delivered by Caesarean section. |
| Keyword(s): | asthma in childhood, caesarean |
| Discussion: | No discussion mentioned for this entry |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
Go Back | New Keyword Search