This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41011589
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Vaginal seeding after Caesarean 'risky', warn doctors | Vaginal seeding after Caesarean 'risky', warn doctors |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| New mothers should not embrace the trend of "seeding" their babies with vaginal bacteria, say doctors. | New mothers should not embrace the trend of "seeding" their babies with vaginal bacteria, say doctors. |
| It exposes children born by Caesarean section to bacteria that could have coated their bodies if they had been born vaginally. | It exposes children born by Caesarean section to bacteria that could have coated their bodies if they had been born vaginally. |
| The idea is bacteria help train the immune system and lower the risk of allergies and asthma. | The idea is bacteria help train the immune system and lower the risk of allergies and asthma. |
| But doctors in Denmark and the UK said there was too little evidence and it may be doing more harm than good. | But doctors in Denmark and the UK said there was too little evidence and it may be doing more harm than good. |
| Being born by Caesarean section is linked to a higher risk of some immune-based diseases. | Being born by Caesarean section is linked to a higher risk of some immune-based diseases. |
| And there is growing medical interest in the role of the microbiome - the micro-organisms that call our bodies home - in preventing disease. | And there is growing medical interest in the role of the microbiome - the micro-organisms that call our bodies home - in preventing disease. |
| Infection risk to babies | Infection risk to babies |
| Seeding involves taking a swab of vaginal fluid and rubbing it into the newborn's face, skin and eyes. | Seeding involves taking a swab of vaginal fluid and rubbing it into the newborn's face, skin and eyes. |
| A report, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said more than 90% of Danish obstetricians had said they had been asked about vaginal seeding. | |
| It said there was no evidence of any benefit to seeding as there was only one proper study of the technique and it involved just four babies. | It said there was no evidence of any benefit to seeding as there was only one proper study of the technique and it involved just four babies. |
| However, it warned of clear risks to the baby, including infections such as group-B streptococcus, E. coli and a range of sexually transmitted infections. | However, it warned of clear risks to the baby, including infections such as group-B streptococcus, E. coli and a range of sexually transmitted infections. |
| Dr Tine Clausen, the report author and a consultant at Nordsjaellands Hospital in Denmark, said: "We know that women and their partners are increasingly speaking to their doctors about vaginal seeding." | Dr Tine Clausen, the report author and a consultant at Nordsjaellands Hospital in Denmark, said: "We know that women and their partners are increasingly speaking to their doctors about vaginal seeding." |
| She told the BBC News website: "I really understand, it's a fascinating thought that you're able to mimic nature by doing the seeding, but it's based on some theoretical thoughts and we don't have evidence to support it." | She told the BBC News website: "I really understand, it's a fascinating thought that you're able to mimic nature by doing the seeding, but it's based on some theoretical thoughts and we don't have evidence to support it." |
| Dr Clausen said a swab may not contain the same bacteria as those transferred during a vaginal birth and any bacteria were more diluted because of blood and amniotic fluid in the vaginal tract during labour. | Dr Clausen said a swab may not contain the same bacteria as those transferred during a vaginal birth and any bacteria were more diluted because of blood and amniotic fluid in the vaginal tract during labour. |
| Her advice to women is to "avoid unnecessary [Caesarean] sections, aim for breast feeding for at least half a year and to have early skin-to-skin contact". | Her advice to women is to "avoid unnecessary [Caesarean] sections, aim for breast feeding for at least half a year and to have early skin-to-skin contact". |
| Each of which does have a beneficial impact on a child's microbiome. | Each of which does have a beneficial impact on a child's microbiome. |
| In the UK, about a quarter of babies are born via Caesarean section | In the UK, about a quarter of babies are born via Caesarean section |
| Dr Patrick O'Brien, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "There is no robust evidence to suggest that vaginal seeding has any associated benefits. | Dr Patrick O'Brien, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "There is no robust evidence to suggest that vaginal seeding has any associated benefits. |
| "We would therefore not recommend it until more definitive research shows that it is not harmful and can in fact improve a child's digestive and/or immune system." | "We would therefore not recommend it until more definitive research shows that it is not harmful and can in fact improve a child's digestive and/or immune system." |
| Follow James on Twitter. | Follow James on Twitter. |
| Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning | Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning |