Elective caesarean section is associated with low adiponectin levels in cord blood.

BACKGROUND

Caesarean section rates have increased in parallel with those of obesity. Decreased levels of adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived metabolic hormone present in abundant concentrations in cord blood and breast milk, have been documented in association with obesity in children and adults.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the mode of delivery affects adiponectin concentrations in cord blood of healthy term infants.

METHODS

The cord blood adiponectin concentration was measured in 159 consecutive term infants, of whom 131 (82.4%) were born by vaginal delivery, 15 (9.4%) by nonelective caesarean section and 13 (8.2%) by elective caesarean section.

RESULTS

The mean adiponectin level was significantly lower in infants born by elective caesarean section compared with those born by vaginal delivery: 15.3 µg/ml (SD = 6.8) and 21.6 µg/ml (SD = 7.3), respectively (p = 0.015). This difference remained significant after adjustment for the infants' gender and birth weight as well as maternal weight and weight gain during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Elective caesarean section may carry a risk of obesity independently of maternal risk factors.