Effects of delivery method on skin diseases and allergy status: A cross-sectional study

Background: Recent data support a relationship between gut microbiota and various chronic diseases, with emerging evidence indicating a similar association with skin microbiota. Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of the delivery method on skin microbiota and explore its effects on skin diseases and allergies. Sociodemographic characteristics, which are potential factors impacting skin microbiota, were also considered to investigate this relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 285 pediatric patients. The delivery method, allergy status, age, gender, consanguineous marriage, and parental smoking exposure (PSE) factors were questioned. The present diagnoses of the patients were also recorded. Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-square analysis. Results: An increased risk of infectious skin diseases (ISDs) (viral, bacterial, fungal) and allergies has been observed in cesarean section (CS) (P < 0.001, P = 0.057). The risk of scabies was higher in normal delivery (P = 0.032). There was no significant relationship between the method of delivery and atopic or non-atopic dermatitis. For children born by CS, PSE, and allergies were identified as factors increasing the risk of atopic dermatitis (P = 0.045, P = 0.018). Allergic children born by CS exhibited a lower prevalence of ISD (P = 0.037). In addition, a decrease in ISDs from 21.2% to 10.3% was observed after 3 years of age in normal births (P = 0.139). Conclusion: Minimizing sociodemographic risk factors and creating a balanced and healthy microbiota, especially in early life, through personal and environmental measures, will be an important part of the treatment of skin diseases and allergies.