Does Cesarean Delivery Increase the Occurrence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Childhood

The correlation between cesarean delivery (CD) and later neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) is still controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis in 2015 revealed that CD is associated with modest increased odds of autism spectrum disorders and possibly attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder when compared to vaginal delivery [1]. However, a recent review article demonstrated that CD births are associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders and a possible association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, irrespective of CD modality compared with vaginal delivery [2]. They suggest that types of CD, gender of the child, socioeconomic status and maternal age should also be adjusted to provide a deeper understanding of the true relationship between CD and these issues.