Allergies during early childhood in children born by cesarean section and vaginal delivery
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62451/rep.v4i1.160Keywords:
Caesarean section, vaginal delivery, allergic diseases, intestinal microbiota, immune systemAbstract
The global increase in cesarean sections, with particular emphasis in Latin America, has raised concerns about their possible relationship with childhood allergic diseases. The mode of delivery influences initial microbial colonization and the maturation of the immune system, determining factors in the development of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis. A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA 2020, with articles published between January and July 2025 in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SciELO, Cochrane, Dialnet, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. Of the 90 initial registries, 21 studies were included. The findings show that children born by cesarean section have a less diverse intestinal microbiota, with a greater predominance of hospital-acquired bacteria, associated with dysbiosis and inflammation. In contrast, vaginal delivery favors the transmission of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium, which are linked to the induction of regulatory T cells and the development of immunological tolerance. Factors such as maternal diet, vitamin D deficiency, antibiotic use, and atopic history modulate this relationship. Breastfeeding has shown a protective effect, especially in newborns delivered by cesarean section. The literature supports the immunomodulatory role of childbirth, although methodological limitations and limited representation of Latin American populations persist. The interaction between maternal and environmental conditions determines the magnitude of allergy risk. Elective cesarean section appears as an immunological risk factor, while vaginal delivery is positioned as the preferred option in the absence of medical indication. It is recommended to restrict unnecessary cesarean sections, promote breastfeeding, optimize gestational nutrition, reduce prenatal antibiotics, and implement postnatal probiotics. Multicenter and longitudinal studies are needed to consolidate the evidence in Latin America.
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