Prolonged periods on antibiotics could make children more susceptible to weight gain, study suggests

Antibiotics can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria.

Early exposure to antibiotics, especially for prolonged stretches of time can have a significant impact on children's health, according to a new study. Taken in the first two years of life, antibiotics and antiacids can disrupt gut bacteria and cause weight gain. Whilst an imbalance in gut bacteria has already been linked to being overweight, this study highlights the impact antibiotics could have on children under two. Huffington Post reported on the study published in the 'Gut' journal. Data was collected from 333,000 kids over a period of seven years. The research, which is the largest-reported study of its kind, focused on medicines prescribed to children during the first two years of their lives and 72.4 percent had been prescribed an antibiotic at some point. Their findings suggested that youngsters were 26 percent more likely to be diagnosed with childhood obesity if they had been prescribed an antibiotic. Dr Max Davie, of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said:

“Childhood obesity levels in the UK are at crisis point with one in three children overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school. “We are also battling antibiotic resistance so any avoidable doses throughout the life-course would be beneficial to the cause.”

He also acknowledged that the study has its limitations and weight gain can be attributed to a large variety of factors. At the end of the day, no one prescribes children with antibiotics unless they are necessary. Of course, they're not ideal and many come with side effects, but every parent does what they can and believe is right to help their children. It goes without saying, always consult a medical professional when it comes to health issues. The study just gives us something to bear in mind.