Toddlers who were prescribed more than five kinds of antibiotics are 42 percent more likely to suffer from child obesity than those who have been prescribed a single kind. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent study has revealed that prescribing excessive amounts of antibiotics to toddlers can cause not only resistant bacteria, but also child obesity.
A research team from Seoul National University Hospital conducted a study of 31,733 toddlers who received periodic health checks between 2008 and 2012 to arrive at their conclusion.
Child obesity can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome in later years.
The team showed that child obesity is more likely if toddlers under 24 months old are prescribed more varieties of antibiotics at an earlier age for an extended period of time.
Toddlers who were prescribed more than five kinds of antibiotics, for instance, are 42 percent more likely to suffer from child obesity than those who have been prescribed a single kind.
Toddlers on antibiotics for more than 180 days were 40 percent more likely to suffer from child obesity than those using antibiotics for less than 30 days.
It was also important to consider when antibiotics were first used on the toddler.
Toddlers who were prescribed antibiotics less than six months after birth were 33 percent more likely to suffer from child obesity than those receiving antibiotics prescriptions between 18 and 24 months after birth.
The research team pointed to the gut microbiome as a primary factor, arguing that excessive doses of antibiotics hurt microorganisms in the gut.
In other words, using antibiotics to get rid of bad bacteria is instead killing off good ones as well.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
