A new study finds a link between chronic and regular antibiotic use and childhood obesity. The U.S. research reveals that children who use medications are more prone to developing obesity than those who seldom consume medicines like antibiotics. However, the study does not say that antibiotics directly cause antibiotics, rather it can be a predisposing factor to the condition.
The study has shown that babies who were given broad spectrum antibiotics in their first two years of life or who had undergone four or more courses of antibiotics are most likely to be obese when they reach their fifth birthday. On the other hand, those were not given antibiotics had normal weight.
The study analyzed the medical records of 64,580 babies and children in and around Philadelphia between 2001 and 2013. The children were followed up until they were five years old. Almost 70% received two courses of antibiotics but those who received four or more courses were has 10% higher risk of being obese in the future.
The type of antibiotic made a difference in the study. Those who were prescribed antibiotics for a specific bacteria or bug were less likely to be obese. Yet those prescribed broad spectrum antibiotics, those who can kill many types of bacteria, have gained more weight.
Furthermore, the study reiterated that prescribing inappropriate antibiotics and those who prescribe them without the need for it can alter the child's growth. Hence, it is advised to conduct thorough assessment first before prescribing them to patients especially children and babies.
According to Dr. Sandra Arnold, associate professor of pediatrics and chief of the division of infectious diseases at University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, "The study can be an eye-opener to pediatricians to choose and prescribe antibiotics wisely." However, there are debates on the physicians prescribing antibiotics because they rely mostly on antibiotics to cure certain illnesses that vaccinations cannot protect the child from.