Mode and place of delivery, gastrointestinal microbiota, and their influence on asthma and atopy
Open accessAbstract
Background Both gastrointestinal microbiota composition and cesarean section have been linked to atopic manifestations. However, results are inconsistent, and the hypothesized intermediate role of the microbiota in the association between birth mode and atopic manifestations has not been studied yet.Objectives We sought to investigate the relationship between microbiota composition, mode and place of delivery, and atopic manifestations.Methods The Child, Parent and Health: Lifestyle and Genetic Constitution Birth Cohort Study included data on birth characteristics, lifestyle factors, and atopic manifestations collected through repeated questionnaires from birth until age 7 years. Fecal samples were collected at age 1 month (n = 1176) to determine microbiota composition, and blood samples were collected at ages 1 (n = 921), 2 (n = 822), and 6 to 7 (n = 384) years to determine specific IgE levels.Results Colonization by Clostridium difficile at age 1 month was associated with wheeze and eczema throughout the first 6 to 7 years of life and with asthma at age 6 to 7 years. Vaginal home delivery compared with vaginal hospital delivery was associated with a decreased risk of eczema, sensitization to food allergens, and asthma. After stratification for parental history of atopy, the decreased risk of sensitization to food allergens (adjusted odds ratio, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.35-0.77) and asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.29-0.77) among vaginally home-born infants was only found for children with atopic parents. Mediation analysis showed that the effects of mode and place of delivery on atopic outcomes were mediated by C difficile colonization.Conclusion Mode and place of delivery affect the gastrointestinal microbiota composition, which subsequently influences the risk of atopic manifestations.
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- Authors
- van Nimwegen, F. A., Penders, J., Stobberingh, E. E., Postma, D. S., Koppelman, G. H., Kerkhof, M., Reijmerink, N. E., Dompeling, E., van den Brandt, P. A., Ferreira, I., Mommers, M., & Thijs, C.
- Affiliations
- Maastricht University Medical Centre (NL)
- University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Penders, John
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-11
- Volume
- 128
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 948-955.e3
- ISSN
- 0091-6749 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2097885651
- Cited by
- 493
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 47 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 35
- FWCI
- 13.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Keywords
- mode of delivery, place of delivery, gut microbiota, asthma, atopy, atopic dermatitis, wheezing, Clostridium difficile colonization, food sensitization, parental atopy, mediation analysis, early childhood
- MeSH terms
- Asthma, Child, Child, Preschool, Clostridium Infections, Feces, Female, Hospitals, Humans, Hypersensitivity, Immediate, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Intestinal Mucosa, Pregnancy, Surveys and Questionnaires, Cohort Studies, Clostridioides difficile, Delivery, Obstetric
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