According to a new analysis, babies born by Cesarean section (C-section) may be more susceptible to chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

While cesarean deliveries are often necessary to save lives and prevent injuries, being born by C-section may also leave babies vulnerable to chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes and obesity, a new analysis suggests.

Much of the research included in the study cannot prove these surgical deliveries cause medical issues later in life. But the link is strong enough that mothers should discuss the risk with their doctor or midwife when weighing whether to proceed with a C-section, particularly when a vaginal delivery may be possible, said lead study author Dr Jan Blustein.

“It’s a discussion that’s important to have in view of the rising rate of C-sections,” said Blustein, a professor of medicine and health policy at New York University. “The magnitude of risk elevation is small, but even when we are talking about increasing the risk modestly, we still need to talk about it.”

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