Prenatal exposure to antibiotics and risk of childhood overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. (3rd December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Solans, Marta; Barceló, Maria A.; Morales‐Suárez‐Varela, Maria; Moya, Andrés; Saez, Marc
• Other Names: Tur Josep A. guestEditor.; Sassi Franco guestEditor.; Martinez J. Alfredo guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Obesity reviews. Volume 23(2022)Supplement 1
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-12-03
• Subjects: antibiotic -- childhood obesity -- pregnancy -- STOP project; Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1111/obr.13382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-7881

Abstract

Summary: Infant antibiotic use has been modestly associated with childhood overweight, while evidence on prenatal exposures remains less clear. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted to examine associations between maternal antibiotic exposure and subsequent risk of childhood overweight/obesity. Publications were retrieved from PubMed and Web of Science databases up to December 2019. A random effects model was used to summarize risk estimates, overall, and by period and frequency of exposure. Ten observational studies were included in the narrative synthesis. We did not observe a clear pattern of association between prenatal antibiotic use and childhood overweight/obesity. There were suggestive associations for repeated exposures (≥3 courses) and those taking place during the second trimester of gestation, which were also pointed out in our meta‐analysis (relative risk, RR 2T = 1.15 (95% CI 1.04; 1.28, I 2 = 18%), and RR 3courses = 1.31 (95% CI 1.03; 1.67, I 2 = 65%), respectively). In most studies, however, confounding by underlying infections cannot be ruled out. Overall, current data do not conclusively support the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to antibiotics is a risk factor for childhood obesity/overweight. Further studies, controlling for underlying infections and exploring the association according to frequency, period (both prenatal and intrapartum) and type of antibiotic, are needed to clarify this association.