A recent study from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm analyzed data from nearly 2.5 million children born in Sweden between 1982 and 2015, revealing that 15.5% of these births were via C-section.

The research indicates that children born through planned C-sections have a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), with 1,495 cases of leukaemia identified among the analyzed population.

Specifically, the risk of ALL is 21% higher for those born by planned C-section compared to those delivered vaginally.

This risk is even more pronounced for the B-cell subtype of ALL, which accounts for around 80% of childhood leukaemia cases, showing a 29% increase in likelihood for C-section deliveries.

The increased risk appears to be more significant in boys and younger children, suggesting that the lack of exposure to the stress and bacteria associated with natural delivery may contribute to this heightened risk.

The study posits that the absence of vaginal bacteria and stress during planned C-sections could be factors leading to the increased risk of ALL, contrasting with emergency C-sections that often begin as vaginal deliveries.

Despite these findings, researchers emphasize that C-sections are vital for maternal and infant health, and mothers should not feel undue anxiety regarding medically necessary procedures.

Dr. Christina-Evmorfia Kampitsi, the lead author, highlighted the importance of C-sections in obstetric care while raising concerns about the rising risks linked to non-medically indicated planned C-sections, which may also correlate with higher incidences of asthma, allergies, and type 1 diabetes.

These findings align with previous studies that have suggested potential health risks associated with planned C-sections, reinforcing the need for careful consideration in obstetric practices.

While some results did not reach statistical significance, the researchers stress the relevance of their findings in understanding the risks associated with childhood leukaemia.

Overall, while the risk of developing B-cell ALL remains low, with 50 to 70 cases diagnosed each year in Sweden, the implications of these findings warrant further investigation.