Relations between mode of birth delivery and timing of developmental milestones and adiposity in preadolescence: A retrospective study
Morgan R Chojnacki, Hannah D Holscher, Alaina R Balbinot, Lauren B Raine, John R Biggan, Anne M Walk, Arthur F Kramer, Neal J Cohen, Charles H Hillman, Naiman A Khan, Morgan R Chojnacki, Hannah D Holscher, Alaina R Balbinot, Lauren B Raine, John R Biggan, Anne M Walk, Arthur F Kramer, Neal J Cohen, Charles H Hillman, Naiman A Khan
Abstract
Background: Cesarean delivery (CS) is an increasingly common mode of delivery comprising over 30% of all deliveries in the U.S. The long-term impact of this delivery mode on child development remains unclear.
Aims: We investigated the relationship between mode of delivery (vaginal vs. CS) and timing of developmental milestones and adiposity in preadolescence, as well as additional milestones beyond motor/language development including toilet training, dressing, and feeding self.
Study design: This study utilized a retrospective survey given to a parent/guardian and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in preadolescence, respectively. A composite z-score was calculated based on nine questions pertaining to developmental milestones i.e., parent-reported age for supporting head by self, rolling over, sitting up, standing, walking, talking, toilet-training, dressing, and feeding self.
Subjects: 7-10-year-old (N = 104) children in East-Central Illinois.
Outcome measures: Composite z-score for timing of attainment of developmental milestones, mode of delivery, and preadolescent adiposity.
Results: Vaginally-born children had a lower composite z-score, signifying earlier attainment of developmental milestones, relative to both emergency and planned CS-born children. Further, elective CS-born children had greater adiposity in preadolescence, relative to vaginal and emergency cesarean-section born children.
Conclusions: These findings suggest relationships between delivery mode, developmental milestones, and obesity in preadolescence. Additionally, they provide novel insights into the differential impact of elective versus emergency CS.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01334359 NCT01619826.
Keywords: Birth method; Cesarean section; Developmental milestones; Gross motor development; Language development; Mode of delivery; Vaginal delivery.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Source: PubMed