Caesarean babies have lower IQs

Naturally conceived babies have higher IQs than those delivered by caesarean, a new study has claimed.

Naturally conceived babies have higher IQs than those delivered by caesarean, a new study has claimed.

According to scientists at Yale University, when women give birth naturally there are higher levels of a special protein in babies' brains that helps boost intelligence levels as they develop, the Daily Mail reported.

The study claims that higher levels of protein UCP2, in babies born naturally, could help develop their short and long term memories, key components of the human IQ as they grow.

The scientists studied the hippocampal region in the brains of mice born naturally and by Caesarean.

Mice born by C-section were found to have lower levels of UCP2 and, as a result, suffered "impaired adult behaviours".

Critics have said that C-sections can increase the risk of internal bleeding and can lead to problems to do with fertility in the future.