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According to a new study, babies born via cesarean have a higher chance of developing allergies later in life.

Researchers from Henry Ford Hospital say that children who are delivered via C-section are at as much as five times higher risk of developing allergies than babies who've had natural birth when exposed to the same kind of household allergy-causing agents like dust and household pets.

In the U.S., about one in four women have their babies via C-section, says Medline Plus.

The study included more than 1,250 babies born between 2003 and 2007. Researchers assessed the level of health of these babies at four age intervals - one month, six months, one year and two years. The study included data from baby's umbilical cord and stool, both parents' blood samples, and breast milk samples. Researchers even accounted for family history of allergies, household pets, dust levels at home, etc.

"This further advances the hygiene hypothesis that early childhood exposure to microorganisms affects the immune system's development and onset of allergies. We believe a baby's exposure to bacteria in the birth canal is a major influencer on their immune system," said Christine Cole Johnson, Ph.D., chair of Henry Ford Department of Health Sciences and the study's lead author, according to a news release.

Johnson added that babies born via C-section are at risk because they have certain microorganisms in their gastrointestinal tract that make them more vulnerable to developing the antibody Immunoglobulin E, or IgE, when exposed to common allergens. This antibody is related to certain allergies.

Previous research has supported the idea that birth through C-section can be a factor for children developing allergic reactions. Recent media reports had said that C-section can raise a baby's risk of developing obesity later in life.

The study was presented Sunday at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting in San Antonio.