EXPERT REACTION: C-section birth linked to autism and ADHD
A review of more than 60 studies and 20 million births has found that caesarean birth is linked to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in kids. The international review, which includes Australian studies, shows kids have 33 per cent higher odds of developing autism spectrum disorder and 17 per cent higher odds of developing ADHD if they are born by c-section. Whether the c-section delivery was elective or emergency made almost no difference to the odds of developing these disorders. The researchers say understanding why this link might occur will be important given the increase in C-section rates.
Journal/conference: JAMA Network Open
Link to research (DOI): 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.10236
Organisation/s: Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
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Expert Reaction
These comments have been collated by the Science Media Centre to provide a variety of expert perspectives on this issue. Feel free to use these quotes in your stories. Views expressed are the personal opinions of the experts named. They do not represent the views of the SMC or any other organisation unless specifically stated.