Taking Antibiotics During Pregnancy, C-Sections Increase Obesity Risk In Children

Recent findings published in the International Journal of Obesity have shown that antibiotic use during the second and third trimester can increase the risk of childhood obesity.

Researchers at Columbia University observed 436 women throughout seven years. Findings revealed that 16 percent had taken antibiotics during the second and third trimesters, resulting an 84 percent increased obesity risk, according to a news release.

"Our findings on prenatal antibiotics and risk for offspring obesity are novel, and thus warrant replication in other prospective cohort studies," said researcher Noel Muller. "If these findings hold up, they suggest new mechanisms through which childhood growth trajectories are influenced at the earliest stages of development. Our findings should not discourage antibiotic use when they are medically needed, but it is important to recognize that antibiotics are currently overprescribed."

Furthermore, study results showed that a 46 percent increased risk of childhood obesity in children delivered through cesarean section.

Researchers attribute the problem to certain issues in imbalances in the microbiome of mother and child caused by both antibiotics and c-cestioin deliveries. However, they concluded by noting that further research is needed on the mode of delivery during pregnancy and other factors to influence the establishment of the ecosystem of bacteria that inhibit individuals.