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Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
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Antibiotic exposure in infancy and development of BMI and body composition in childhood

Tobias Steen Sejersen1,2, Rebecca Kofod Vinding1,2, Jakob Stokholm1,2

  • 1Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark.

Eclinicalmedicine
|January 1, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic exposure in infancy did not affect children's body mass index (BMI) or body composition up to age six. This study found no evidence linking early-life antibiotic use to childhood overweight or obesity development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Microbiome Research
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Early-life antibiotic exposure is hypothesized to contribute to childhood overweight.
  • Previous studies suggest an association between antibiotic use and childhood obesity.
  • This study investigates the link between infant antibiotic exposure and subsequent body mass index (BMI) and body composition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between antibiotic exposure in infancy and the development of BMI and body composition in children.
  • To determine if early-life antibiotic use influences long-term weight and body fat percentage.
  • To evaluate the hypothesis that antibiotic use in the first year of life increases the risk of childhood obesity.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective mother-child cohort study (Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood 2010) included 738 pregnant women and 700 children.
  • Antibiotic exposure information was gathered through interviews.
  • Child height, weight, and body composition (using DXA scans) were measured at multiple points between ages 1 and 6 years.

Main Results:

  • 46% of children received antibiotics before age one.
  • No significant differences in BMI z-score development were observed between antibiotic-exposed and unexposed children from age 1 to 6 years.
  • Body composition, specifically fat percentage at age 6, was comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions:

  • Infant antibiotic exposure was not associated with differences in BMI, BMI z-score, or body composition between ages 1 and 6 years.
  • The findings do not support the hypothesis that antibiotic exposure in infancy leads to the development of obesity in early childhood.
  • Further research may be needed to explore potential long-term effects or alternative contributing factors to childhood obesity.
Abstract

Keywords:
AntibioticBMIBMI, body mass indexCOPSAC2010, COpenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood2010ChildhoodDXA scanDXA, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometryFat percentageGrowthIOTF, International Obesity Task ForceTBLH, total body less head

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