Evaluation of general health status in babies under 24 months of age by cesarean section and born normally

In this study; It was investigated how the mode of delivery affects general health and growth progress until babies are 24 months old. It has been determined how often infants are sick. In the cross-sectional study, data were collected with a questionnaire of 56 questions asked to the mothers. Our dependent variables are: delivery type, first breastfeeding time, breastfeeding time only, first 6 months breastfeeding full time, breastfeeding time (weaning time), frequency of illness, baby weight, baby height, BMI. Our Independent Variables: Birth type, birth place, PC, DSB, mother age group, father age group, mother education status, father education status, monthly total income, mother employment status, father employment status, family type, social security of the family. 133 (50.4%) of the 264 babies included in the study are boys and 131 (49.6%) are girls. Average birth weights were found as 3238.9 ± 404.2 g, and average birth height was 49.4 ± 1.5 cm. The average 24-month weight of babies was found to be 12360.2 ± 1351.4 g, and the average height was 88.1 ± 3.6 cm. The average age of the mothers of the babies participating in the study was found to be 29.7 ± 5.2. Eight (3%) of the mothers were illiterate, 104 (39.4%) were university graduates. 175 of mothers (66.3%) were housewives and were not working. 152 (57.6%) of the babies were born by cesarean and 112 (42.4%) were born by normal birth. All births took place in the hospital. 37.9% of babies were breastfed in the first hour as soon as they were born. 87.9% of the babies were breastfed with colostrum on the first day. In the first 6 months, the rate of full breastfeeding babies was determined as 45.8%. It was found that delivery type was related to mother education, father education, monthly income of the family, DSD, time to start breastfeeding, and the frequency of illness (p <0.05). While cesarean rates are 12.5% in illiterate mothers, primary school graduate fathers, monthly family income below 31.5% for university graduates, 31.5% for university graduate mothers, 64.5% for university graduate fathers, and monthly income above 6000 tl. found to be 65.1% in those. DSB had not received 62.8% of normal births and 37.2% of cesarean births. 58% of babies born with normal birth were breastfed in the first 1 hour. 94.7% of normal babies were breastfed during the first day. Babies were sick on average 17.8 ± 10 times until 24 months of age. The babies born normally were 16.1 ± 9.7 times, and babies born by cesarean section got sick 19 ± 10.1 times. It was observed that the babies who were not fully breastfed with breast milk got sick 19.8 ± 10.5 times on average, and the babies who were fully breastfed for 6 months had an average of 15.8 ± 9.0 times. These differences were statistically significant (p <0.05). No relation was found between other variables As the sociodemographic level of the family increases, cesarean rates increase. Cesarean deliveries affect the general health status negatively, causing babies to get sick more frequently. Having a cesarean birth causes to start breastfeeding late. The babies of the mothers who gave birth by cesarean started feeding with colostrum later. Therefore, babies benefit from the protective, nutritional and growth effects of breast milk later. The effect of delivery type on the growth and development of babies was not found significant. Due to the high socioeconomic level of families, the high rate of ready-to-eat food may be a factor in this. In order to decrease the cesarean delivery rates, pre-natal trainings should support women to prefer normal delivery. Keywords: cesarean, breastfeeding, breast milk, infant nutrition, infant development