Antibiotic weight
August 23, 2012
ANTIBIOTIC use in infants may
predispose them to obesity later in
childhood, according to a study by
researchers from the New York
University School of Medicine.
The study looked at more than
11,000 children during three stages
of their life: birth to 5 months; 6 to
14 months; 15 to 23 months; and
studied their weight at five
different periods: 6 weeks, 10
months, 20 months, 38 months,
and 7 years of age.
The researchers found that
antibiotic use in infants up to sixmonths
of age was found to
correspond with increased body
mass in their toddler and childhood
years.
“Although effects of early exposures
are modest at the individual level,
they could have substantial
consequences for population
health,” researchers said.
“Given the prevalence of antibiotic
exposures in infants, and in light of
the growing concerns about
childhood obesity, further studies
are needed to isolate effects and
define life-course implications for
body mass and cardiovascular risks.”
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