A study by researchers at Karolinska Institute reveals that children born by planned C-section face a modestly increased risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood leukemia. Published in The International Journal of Cancer, the findings emphasize that while the risk remains low, the association underscores the need for careful consideration of non-medically indicated C-sections.
The study analyzed data from nearly 2.5 million children born in Sweden between 1982–1989 and 1999–2015. Of these, 15.5% were delivered by C-section, with 1,495 later diagnosed with leukemia. The risk of ALL was 21% higher in children born by planned C-section compared to vaginal births, rising to 29% for the B-cell subtype (B-ALL). The trend was more pronounced in boys and younger children.
Despite the findings, the absolute risk remains small. For instance, Sweden records 50–70 annual B-ALL cases, with planned C-sections linked to roughly one additional case per year. The researchers stress that C-sections are vital for medical emergencies and should not cause undue alarm.
“C-sections are an important and often life-saving part of obstetric care,” said lead author Christina-Evmorfia Kampitsi. “However, when combined with other studies linking planned C-sections to higher risks of immune-related conditions, it’s worth discussing elective procedures.”
The study suggests that the absence of labor stress and vaginal bacteria exposure in planned C-sections might play a role, as these factors could influence immune development. Emergency C-sections, which often follow labor onset, did not show the same risk increase.
While the study highlights a small but notable association, the researchers caution against overinterpretation due to limited statistical significance. The findings contribute to ongoing research into ALL causes and reinforce the importance of weighing risks and benefits for elective C-sections.
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