Changes in Height Linked to Increased C-section Rates

Countries with populations whose average adult height grew late last century are more likely to have high rates of babies delivered surgically.

Written byAbby Olena, PhD

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Researchers suggest that changes in average adult height between the 1970s and 1990s could explain about a third of the worldwide variation in Caesarean section rates, according to a study published today (February 6) in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The researchers hypothesize that height increases may stem from improved living conditions, which could provide better nutrition and environment for the neonate and lead to an overly large fetus in relation to the mother—a situation that can prohibit vaginal delivery.

The authors argue that this points to a biological basis for the increase in caesarean deliveries and should encourage a shift in how clinicians and the World Health Organization (WHO) propose optimal C-section rates. Because the difficulty of labor could vary globally due to differences in the rates of height change, ideal C-section rates should be country-specific, the researchers add.

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Meet the Author

Abby Olena, PhD
As a freelancer for The Scientist, Abby reports on new developments in life science for the website. She has a PhD from Vanderbilt University and got her start in science journalism as the Chicago Tribune’s AAAS Mass Media Fellow in 2013. Following a stint as an intern for The Scientist, Abby was a postdoc in science communication at Duke University, where she developed and taught courses to help scientists share their research. In addition to her work as a science journalist, she leads science writing and communication workshops and co-produces a conversational podcast. She is based in Alabama.
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