Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025
A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
Intrapartum antibiotic exposure and infectious diseases in childhood - a population-based cohort study
Mikael Hakkola1, Sofia Ainonen1, Eveliina Ronkainen2
1Research Unit of Clinical Medicine and Medical Research Centre Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Insights
Maternal intrapartum antibiotic use was linked to a higher risk of infectious diseases in children, particularly urinary tract infections. This association may depend on the specific bacteria and their penicillin susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiome Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Intrapartum antibiotics are administered to prevent group B Streptococcus disease in newborns.
- This study investigated the hypothesis that intrapartum antibiotic exposure influences gut microbiome development, leading to childhood infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between maternal intrapartum antibiotic exposure and the incidence of infectious diseases in offspring.
- To explore how this exposure might impact the development of the infant gut microbiome and subsequent health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study included vaginally delivered children born in Northern Finland (2007-2018).
- Data were sourced from electronic medical records linked to national registers.
- The primary outcome measured was the number of infectious disease episodes requiring emergency room visits, outpatient hospital visits, or hospitalization from birth to five years of age.
Main Results:
- The study analyzed 9,733 children exposed to intrapartum antibiotics and 35,842 unexposed children.
- Intrapartum antibiotic exposure was associated with an increased risk of infectious disease episodes at 7-28 days (aIRR 1.30) and 1-2 years (aIRR 1.10).
- Urinary tract infections showed an increased association with exposure, while severe penicillin-susceptible infections showed a reverse association.
Conclusions:
- Maternal intrapartum antibiotic use is associated with an increased occurrence of infectious diseases in offspring.
- The observed associations appear to be influenced by specific bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility to penicillin.
Background:
Intrapartum antibiotics are used to prevent group B streptococcus disease in newborn infants. We hypothesised that intrapartum antibiotic exposure is associated with the occurrence of childhood infectious diseases because it influences the development of the gut microbiome.
Methods:
The cohort for this population-based study comprised vaginally delivered children born in Northern Finland in 2007-2018. We used structured electronic medical records linked to comprehensive national registers. Primary outcome was the number of infectious disease episodes leading to an emergency room visit, outpatient hospital visit, or hospitalisation from birth until five years of age.
Findings:
Analyses were performed on 9733 children (48.8% girls) exposed to intrapartum antibiotics and on 35,842 unexposed children (49.9% girls). Exposure to intrapartum antibiotics was associated with increased risk of any infectious disease episode at the ages 7-28 days (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 1.30, 95% CI 1.10-1.54) and 1-2 years (aIRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.18). The occurrence of urinary tract infections was associated with the exposure to intrapartum antibiotics whereas the occurrence of severe infections caused by pathogens susceptible to penicillin was reversely associated with the exposure to intrapartum antibiotics.
Interpretation:
Maternal intrapartum antibiotics were associated with the occurrence of infectious diseases in the offspring. The observed associations appeared to depend on bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility to penicillin.
Funding:
Pediatric Research Foundation, Alma och K.A. Snellman Foundation, Orion Research Foundation, Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, Finnish Medical Foundation, Academy of Finland, Finland.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:20Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance