# Long-term health consequences of birth by cesarean section

> **NIH NIH R01** · HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · 2020 · $655,685

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Nearly 1.3 million cesareans are performed each year, resulting in the birth of one third of all children
nationwide. When indicated, cesarean sections reduce morbidity and mortality to mother and fetus. However,
many cesareans do not have a clear medical indication leading to an increase in serious maternal and
perinatal morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence also suggests that risks to offspring may extend to
chronic-non communicable conditions. Consistent evidence shows that individuals born by cesarean are at an
increased risk of obesity as children and that higher rates of obesity persist through adult life, raising the
possibility that the long-term health consequences of being born by cesarean may extend to an increased risk
of obesity-related chronic conditions including common cancers (breast, prostate, colorectal), cardiovascular
disease and type 2 diabetes. However, data on the association of birth by cesarean with risk factors for or
biomarkers of chronic disease risk remains scarce. There is also a paucity of information regarding the biologic
mechanisms underlying the relation between cesarean delivery and offspring chronic disease risk. This
proposal addresses these knowledge gaps. Specifically, we propose to evaluate the relation of birth by
cesarean with pubertal onset –an established risk factor for breast cancer; with longitudinal trajectories in
biomarkers of chronic disease risk –including markers of mitogenesis, inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid
metabolism and adipose tissue activity; and with longitudinal trajectories in body composition (Aims 1 and 2).
In addition, we propose to evaluate the relation of birth by cesarean section with longitudinal trajectories in
whole genome DNA methylation patterns and gut microbiome (Aims 3 and 4) in order to gain further
understanding on the biological underpinnings of the long-term health consequences of birth by cesarean.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9980433
- **Project number:** 5R01HD093761-03
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Jorge Eduardo Chavarro
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $655,685
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9980433

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9980433, Long-term health consequences of birth by cesarean section (5R01HD093761-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9980433. Licensed CC0.

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