Association Between Delivery Method and Offspring's Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - Summary - MDSpire

Association Between Delivery Method and Offspring's Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • By

  • Hana Taha

  • Mohammad Al-Shalalfeh

  • Almothana Khalil

  • Yumna Khasawneh

  • Aseel Abu Ata

  • Hala AbuEin

  • Ahmad Issa

  • Taher Alhawamdeh

  • Mishkah BaniMustafa

  • Mohammed Qussay Al-Sabbagh

  • Linus Jönsson

  • April 8, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the association between cesarean section (CS) and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC) in offspring.

Key Findings:
  • No significant association between CS and overall IBD risk (RR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.88–1.08).
  • No association found for CD (RR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.88–1.12).
  • Inverse association observed for UC (RR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72–0.95).
  • Regional variations noted: reduced IBD risk in Denmark, Switzerland, and Norway; increased risk in Germany and Australia.
  • Adjusted analyses consistently showed no association for IBD (HR: 1.14, OR: 0.91), CD (HR: 1.07, OR: 1.11), and UC (HR: 0.96, OR: 1.05).
Interpretation:

Despite biologically plausible mechanisms linking CS to altered microbiome patterns, the evidence does not support CS as an independent risk factor for IBD.

Limitations:
  • Inconsistencies in study populations and exposure definitions.
  • Previous meta-analyses lacked differentiation between elective and emergency CS.
  • Insufficient adjustment for confounders like parental IBD.
Conclusion:

The findings provide reassurance for clinical counseling regarding CS and long-term IBD risk, indicating no significant association across over 13 million births.

Original Source(s)

Association Between Delivery Method and Offspring's Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • by Hana Taha, Mohammad Al-Shalalfeh, Almothana Khalil, Yumna Khasawneh, Aseel Abu Ata, Hala AbuEin, Ahmad Issa, Taher Alhawamdeh, Mishkah BaniMustafa, Mohammed Qussay Al-Sabbagh, Linus Jönsson

  • April 8, 2026

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