Association between cesarean section and human capital in adulthood: 1982 and 1993 Pelotas birth cohorts, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Abstract: This study aims to assess the association between mode of delivery and human capital among young adults enrolled in 1982 1993 Pelotas birth cohorts, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brasil. In 1993, maternity hospitals municipality were daily visited, births identified, those live births, whose family lived urban area Pelotas, examined their mothers interviewed. Information on delivery, vaginal or cesarean, was provided by mother perinatal study. Performance intelligence tests achieved schooling income evaluated 30 years visit at cohort. At cohort, assessed 22 visit, whereas IQ 18 years. Tobacco smoking adulthood type school used as negative outcomes strength causal inference. Initially, cesarean section positively associated with adulthood, exception After controlling for confounders, magnitude associations strongly reduced, regression coefficients close null value. The outcome analysis showed that, after confounding variables, not tobacco school. Suggesting that variables included model control confounding, an adequate adjustment it is unlikely results are due residual socioeconomic status. On other hand, considering short- long-term risks epidemic sections, measures should be implemented reduce its prevalence.