Childhood Antibiotics Could Lead To Adolescent Prediabetes

Disruptions to the gut’s ecosystem could be a future symptom facing young children who take antibiotics, which makes them more susceptible to developing prediabetes.

A new study by Athens University Medical School claims that children should only take antibiotics when truly necessary. Researchers believe that interruptions to the gut microbes that produce micronutrients and vitamins could negatively impact the body’s immune response.

“Increased consumption of antibiotics up to the age of 3 seems to decrease beneficial gut microbes and alter nutrient absorption and metabolism,” said Charikleia Stefanaki, MD, lead investigator of the study. “This may lead to prediabetes, an early high-risk stage of type 2 diabetes.”

Gut restoration

To understand more about the relationship between adolescent prediabetes and the gut’s environment, researchers analyzed participants between the ages of 12 and 17. Prediabetic participants reported taking antibiotics more than three times before the age of three. In comparison the healthy participants were nearly nine percent less likely to have taken antibiotics before the age of three.

The researchers looked specifically at the positive gut bacteria Ruminococcus. They believe as antibiotic intake increases, negative changes to this particular gut flora increases.

The study recommends prebiotics - non-digestible fiber compounds that stimulate advantageous bacteria - and probiotics - live bacteria good for the digestive system - as two ways to restore proper balance in gut bacteria and to help prevent prediabetes.

Source: Newswise