Could Antibiotics leads to high risk for obesity in children less than 2 yrs?

Pediatrics prefers antibiotics more often in middle ear infections, throat infections and fever. Now new study published in JAMA PEDIATRICS claims antibiotics particularly broad spectrum antibiotics could increase the risk for obesity in children. As on today in kids below 2 years , 1 among 3 kids are found obese.

How antibiotics influence in getting extra pounds?

The most common causes for obesity in children are genetic factors, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating. Now one more factor included in this list is broad spectrum antibiotic use in kids below 2 yrs. As we all know antibiotics can cause diarrhea. This is because it kills the good and bad bacteria in gastrointestinal tract. This is how antibiotics affect gut bacteria and interfere with hunger hormones that causes high body mass index (BMI).

Children under 2 years getting four or more antibiotic prescriptions are at risk for obesity

Research done amongst 0-5 year’s kids at US, 69% children is exposed to antibiotics before 2 years with 2.3 rounds of antibiotics. Children who receive 4 or more prescription by age of 24 months are leading to obesity risk. Theresearch also suggests that obesity risk is only with broad spectrum antibiotics. The study findings results are:

• 10%children become obese and 23% become overweight by 2years.
• 14%chidren become obese and 30% become overweight by 3 years
• 15%children become obese and 33%become overweight by4 years.

Now doctors be cautious when prescribing antibiotics for kids below 24 months. As common drug Antibiotic can be lifesaving drug in serious conditions, so we can’t stop using it. But we can limit its use and stop unnecessary prescriptions.

Its humble request to all pediatricians to go for Narrow spectrum range of antibiotics when necessary which is better choice for babies.