Children born through forceps delivery or using vacuum suction are more likely to cause educational problems and display aggressive behavior, Chinese researchers report in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
According to the authors of the research, the observed relationship between the type of childbirth and subsequent child psychopathology may be associated with increased levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the child’s body during stressful and difficult childbirth.
Previous studies have shown that the lowest levels of cortisol are found in the blood of babies born via caesarean section and naturally without complications. The highest level of this hormone is noted in the case of forceps or vacuum-draw deliveries.
Cortisol levels are related to childhood psychopathology, but further research should be carried out to look at this relationship carefully, says Prof. Jianmeng Liu from Peking University.
The research covered over 4 children from two Chinese provinces who, at the age of 4-6 years, underwent tests for diagnosing, among others, symptoms of depression, anxiety, aggressive behavior and problems with concentration. It turned out then that the percentage of children who were diagnosed with the above problems was the lowest in those who were born via caesarean section, and the highest in those whose mothers had given birth using forceps or vacuum-lifting (PAP).