Use of antibiotics under 2 years of age associated with autism, allergies and obesity

Researchers warn that antibiotics given to children under the age of two are associated with several ongoing illnesses and conditions, from allergies to obesity, celiac disease, and autism.

for Survey, Published in the journal Mayo Clinic ProceedingsA research team at the Mayo Clinic in the United States analyzed data from more than 14,500 children.

About 70% of children received at least one antibiotic treatment for their illness before the age of two.

Researchers found that infants and toddlers who received at least one antibiotic during the age of 2 years had asthma, autism, allergic rhinitis, weight problems and obesity, food allergies, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Celiac disease and late childhood atopic dermatitis.

The findings show that children receiving multiple antibiotic treatments are more likely to have multiple illnesses and conditions later in childhood.

The type and frequency of illness depends on age, drug type, dose, and frequency of administration. There were also some differences between boys and girls. “Of the children who received one or two prescriptions, only the female child had a significantly higher risk of developing asthma and celiac disease than the unexposed child,” said study author Nathan.・ Rubra Sur writes. “Three to four prescriptions increased the incidence of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and bisexual overweight. ADHD in girls and celiac disease; and obesity in boys.

“Both girls and boys who received five or more prescriptions were at significantly higher risk of developing asthma, allergic rhinitis, overweight, obesity, and ADHD, and girls were also at higher risk of celiac disease.”

The age at which the baby took it also made a difference. Antibiotics prescribed before 6 months of age were significantly associated with the risk of atopic dermatitis, overweight, and ADHD in both men and women. Asthma in girls, allergic rhinitis, and obesity; and food allergies in boys.

Researchers have identified the most commonly prescribed antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporins, macrolides) and found that there are differences in the risks associated with them.

“Exposure to cephalosporins has been associated with an increased risk of most symptoms, and uniquely, there was autism and food allergies,” the research team wrote.

“Penicillin was associated with an increased risk of asthma and overweight in both men and women, celiac disease and ADHD in girls, and obesity in boys, whereas it was associated with a reduced risk of autism in girls.

“Sulfonamides only increased the risk of boys being overweight.

“Macrolide antibiotics were associated with an increased risk of asthma and overweight in both men and women, allergic rhinitis and obesity in boys, but reduced the risk of atopic dermatitis in girls and learning disabilities in boys. It was related. “

Researchers believe that the difference in results means that it may be important to distinguish between the types of antibiotics prescribed to infants. “It was observed that the risk of autism and learning disabilities was significantly increased only after exposure to cephalosporins. In fact, exposure to cephalosporins was associated with an increased risk of some conditions. It suggests the importance of distinguishing antibiotics. “

The authors speculate that even if antibiotics have only a temporary effect on the microbiome, this can have long-term health effects.

Microbiomes are a collection of microorganisms (bacterial, viral, fungal communities) in the body that are involved in the development of immunity, defense against pathogens, metabolic function, vitamin synthesis and fat storage, and their effects on human behavior. And it is important for the correct functioning of the human body.

When antibiotics are administered, they are thought to attack both the “good” and “bad” microbes in our body and can upset the microbiome balance.

Researchers believe this may be the reason why they found such a significant association between two-year-old antibiotic prescriptions and ADHD in men and women. “Because the microbiome can affect neurogenesis, practices that jeopardize the establishment of microbial communities can affect the risk of neurobehavioral disorders,” the research team said. “Differences in the composition of the gut flora have been described for people with ADHD today, but their importance remains unclear.”

When antibiotics were first developed and deployed, the overwhelming consideration was pathogen control. “We are now aware that their widespread application has significant incidental effects on the microbiome, which can be particularly important in child development.”

Recent data show some increases in childhood conditions related to the study, but experts do not know why.

With the exception of multidrug resistance issues, antibiotics have generally been presumed to be safe by most pediatricians.

However, researchers are keen to point out that their evidence only shows an association between antibiotic use and these health conditions, not a cause. “Because the effects of antibiotics could not be dispelled from the effects of the underlying disease, indications (eg, antibiotics were prescribed for respiratory infections, which led to the risk of subsequent asthma) or adverse causal relationships (eg,). Respiratory tract infections) may have caused confusion. It is an early symptom of undiagnosed asthma and may be treated with antibiotics), ”said Nathan Rubrasour, research author at Mayor Clinic. I will.

Nonetheless, antibiotic prescribing patterns in childhood are very diverse, and researchers have found that the ultimate goal is to give doctors practical guidelines on the safest way to use antibiotics early in life. Said to provide. A safer approach to the timing, dosage and type of antibiotics for children in this age group. “