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Prenatal exposure to systemic antibacterials and overweight and obesity in Danish schoolchildren: a prevalence study

A Mor1, S Antonsen1, J Kahlert1

  • 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|July 17, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to antibacterials is linked to a higher risk of overweight and obesity in children. This association was observed in schoolchildren and varied based on birth weight.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Pediatric Health
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to antibacterials may impact fetal development through epigenetic changes or altered maternal microbiota.
  • Systemic antibacterial use during pregnancy raises concerns about long-term metabolic health in offspring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to systemic antibacterials and the risk of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren.
  • To explore how birth weight modifies this association.

Main Methods:

  • A prevalence study utilizing data from Danish schoolchildren aged 7-16 years (2002-2013).
  • Prenatal antibacterial exposure was identified through maternal prescription records and infection-related hospitalizations.
  • Overweight and obesity were defined using standard age- and sex-specific criteria; analyses were adjusted for covariates and stratified by birth weight.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal antibacterial exposure was associated with increased prevalence ratios for overweight (1.26) and obesity (1.29) in schoolchildren.
  • Associations differed between sexes and were influenced by birth weight, with distinct patterns for overweight and obesity relative to birth weight thresholds.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal exposure to systemic antibacterials is associated with an elevated risk of overweight and obesity in school-aged children.
  • The relationship between prenatal antibacterial exposure and childhood overweight/obesity is moderated by birth weight.
Abstract

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