Antibiotics increase risk of inflammatory bowel disease in children: study

Children and adolescents are at higher risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) if exposed to antibiotics or a Western diet at a young age, according to researchers, including one of Indian origin. A meta-analysis of 36 observational studies representing approximately 6.4 million children showed that any exposure to antibiotics before the age of five was associated with a threefold increased risk of pediatric IBD, and Exposure to four or more courses had a 3.5-fold increased risk.

“Pediatric IBD cases are on the rise globally, and one in four of all IBD cases are now diagnosed before the age of 21,” said Nisha Thakar, lead author of the study and a gastrointestinal dietitian at the University of Newcastle in Australia. is done.” A unique concern about pediatric IBD is the impact that inflammation has on a child’s growth and progress to puberty, so parents need to be aware of the condition and the modifiable factors that affect it.

Furthermore, low socioeconomic status was associated with a 65 percent lower risk of childhood IBD. Higher consumption of vegetables was also protective, as were having two or more siblings, and exposure to pets in childhood.

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The findings, presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2023, showed that exposure to animals and having only one toilet is protective against IBD. Thacker said this indicates that excessive hygiene may reduce microbes in the environment and interfere with the development of a robust microbiome.

Basic hygiene is recommended but allowing children to play outside and interact with pets in a safe environment appears to be beneficial for developing a strong immune system.

“Many of these factors can affect our gut microbiota and have a particularly strong effect in the child,” Thacker said. “A Western diet, high in sugars and low in ultra-processed foods and vegetables, is a prime example.”

Another risk factor is early exposure to secondhand smoke, which doubled the risk of IBD in children. Thacker advises families with young children to emphasize a diet rich in vegetables and minimally processed whole foods, Use antibiotics cautiously in childhood, Consider adopting a pet, Prevent secondhand smoke exposure and avoid excessive concern about hygiene, especially in high-income countries.

If there is a family history of IBD or the child has a history of eczema/rhinitis, encouraging breastfeeding, followed by a healthy dietary pattern for the child, may reduce the confounding effect of a Western diet on genetic risk.